You’ve probably seen the headlines: “SEO is dead.” While that may grab attention, it’s not entirely true. What is true is that SEO has fundamentally changed—and businesses that don’t adapt risk becoming invisible online.

Traditional SEO focused heavily on keywords, backlinks, and ranking on search engines like Google. But today, search behavior is shifting. AI-powered search results, voice assistants, and zero-click searches mean users are getting answers faster—often without ever visiting a website. Add in platforms like ChatGPT and Google’s Search Generative Experience, and it’s clear: visibility is no longer just about ranking #1.

From SEO to Search Everywhere Optimization

So what replaces “old SEO”? A more holistic approach: Search Everywhere Optimization.

Modern websites must now be optimized not just for search engines, but for users, AI tools, and multiple platforms. This includes:

• High-quality, authoritative content that answers real questions
• Fast, secure, mobile-first website design
• Structured data and schema to help AI understand your content
• Strong brand presence across web, social, and directories

Your website is no longer just a digital brochure—it’s your central hub for credibility, trust, and conversion.

How ClikCloud Keeps You Ahead

This is where ClikCloud comes in.

At ClikCloud, we understand that SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolving into something smarter. We build secure, high-performing websites designed for both human users and AI-driven discovery. From optimized content and technical SEO to cybersecurity and performance, we ensure your site isn’t just found—but trusted.

We also go beyond the website. With integrated blog content, email marketing, and social media strategies, we help your business stay visible across every touchpoint where your audience is searching.

The Bottom Line

SEO isn’t gone—it’s grown up. And if your current strategy still relies on outdated tactics, now is the time to rethink your approach.

ClikCloud has you covered with future-ready websites and marketing strategies that keep your business visible, secure, and ahead of the curve.

What Is Zero Trust Security?

Zero Trust is a cybersecurity framework built on one simple principle: never trust, always verify. Instead of assuming users inside your network are safe, Zero Trust requires continuous authentication and validation for every user, device, and application attempting to access your systems.

This approach ensures that access is granted only when it’s truly needed—and only under the right conditions.

Why SMBs Need Zero Trust Now

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting SMBs because they often lack advanced defenses. With remote work expanding the attack surface, a single compromised login can lead to a full-scale breach.

Zero Trust helps SMBs:

• Reduce the risk of unauthorized access
• Protect sensitive data across distributed environments
• Maintain visibility into user activity and device health

For many businesses, adopting Zero Trust is no longer optional—it’s quickly becoming a requirement for compliance and cyber insurance.

Securing Remote Workforces with Zero Trust

Remote work introduces challenges that traditional security tools weren’t designed to handle. Zero Trust addresses these challenges by enforcing strict access policies regardless of location.

Key components include:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of identity verification
• Device Validation: Ensures only secure, compliant devices can connect
• Least Privilege Access: Limits users to only the data and systems they need
• Continuous Monitoring: Tracks behavior to detect anomalies in real time

By combining these controls, businesses can secure access without slowing down productivity.

Building a Zero Trust Strategy

Implementing Zero Trust doesn’t have to be overwhelming. SMBs can take a phased approach:

1. Start with identity security, including MFA and access controls
2. Secure endpoints with device management and monitoring
3. Segment networks to limit lateral movement
4. Continuously monitor and respond to suspicious activity

Partnering with a managed service provider can help ensure these elements are properly integrated and aligned with your business goals.

The Future of SMB Security

Zero Trust is more than a buzzword—it’s a necessary evolution in how businesses protect their data in a remote-first world. As threats continue to evolve and insurance requirements tighten, SMBs that adopt Zero Trust will be better positioned to prevent breaches and maintain compliance.

Ready to secure your remote workforce with a smarter approach to cybersecurity? Contact us today for a meaningful conversation about implementing Zero Trust for your business.

Why Cyber Insurance Requirements Are Getting Stricter

As ransomware and identity-based attacks continue to rise, insurers are shifting from reactive coverage to proactive risk prevention. Claims are increasingly denied when businesses cannot demonstrate proper security controls. This means having visibility, response capabilities, and identity protection is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Your 24/7 Security Backbone

MDR has become a cornerstone requirement for cyber insurance eligibility. Unlike traditional antivirus tools, MDR provides continuous monitoring, threat hunting, and rapid incident response.

With MDR in place, businesses can:

• Detect threats in real time
• Respond quickly to minimize damage
• Provide documented proof of monitoring for insurance compliance

Insurers view MDR as a critical safeguard because it significantly reduces breach dwell time and financial impact.

Mobile Device Management (MDM): Securing the Modern Workforce

With remote and hybrid work now standard, mobile devices are a major security risk. MDM ensures that smartphones, tablets, and laptops accessing company data are properly secured.

Key benefits include:

• Enforcing device-level security policies
• Remote wiping of lost or stolen devices
• Ensuring compliance across all endpoints

Cyber insurers increasingly require MDM to mitigate risks tied to unmanaged or compromised devices.

Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR): The New Frontline

Identity is the new attack surface. Most modern breaches begin with compromised credentials, making ITDR one of the fastest-growing requirements in cyber insurance policies.

ITDR focuses on:

• Detecting suspicious login behavior
• Preventing account takeovers
• Monitoring privileged access and identity misuse

Businesses that lack identity-level visibility are far more likely to face denied claims after an incident.

How to Get Insurance-Ready

To meet evolving cyber insurance standards, businesses should:

• Implement MDR for continuous threat monitoring
• Deploy MDM to secure all devices
• Adopt ITDR to protect identities and access points
• Document security policies and incident response plans

Working with a managed service provider ensures these tools are properly deployed and maintained—something insurers often verify during underwriting.

Stay Protected—and Insurable

Cyber insurance providers are no longer just evaluating if you have coverage—they’re assessing how well you can prevent an attack. Businesses that invest in MDR, MDM, and ITDR not only improve their security posture but also ensure they remain eligible for coverage when it matters most.

Need help aligning your security stack with cyber insurance requirements? Contact us today for a meaningful conversation about protecting your business and securing your future.

GEO is the process of structuring your website content so it can be understood, summarized, and surfaced by AI-driven search tools. Instead of focusing only on keywords, GEO focuses on clarity, structure, and answering real user questions.

Why GEO Matters for Businesses

AI-powered search tools are changing how people discover businesses. Instead of clicking through multiple links, users often receive summarized answers pulled from trusted sources.

If your website is not optimized for GEO, your business may:

• Miss visibility in AI-generated results
• Lose traffic to competitors with clearer content
• Struggle to connect with modern search behavior

Websites that succeed in this new environment are those that provide clear, direct, and helpful information.

How GEO Is Different from Traditional SEO

While SEO focuses on keywords and rankings, GEO focuses on context and answers.

Key differences include:

• SEO targets search engines; GEO targets AI-generated responses
• SEO prioritizes keywords; GEO prioritizes questions and clarity
• SEO drives clicks; GEO builds visibility within answers

Both strategies are important, but GEO is becoming essential as AI adoption grows.

How to Optimize Your Website for GEO

Businesses can take practical steps to improve their GEO strategy:

• Use clear headings and structured content (H1, H2, H3)
• Add FAQ sections that answer common questions
• Write in a natural, conversational tone
• Include definitions for key topics
• Focus on solving real business problems

These steps help AI tools better understand your content and increase your chances of being included in generated responses.

Preparing for the Future of Search

GEO is not a replacement for SEO—it’s an evolution. Businesses that adapt early will have a significant advantage in visibility and lead generation.

As AI continues to shape how people search, your website needs to do more than rank—it needs to provide answers.

Start Optimizing for AI Search Today

If your website isn’t structured for AI-driven search, now is the time to take action. A GEO strategy can help your business stay visible, competitive, and relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Contact ClikCloud today for a meaningful conversation about optimizing your website for AI search and future growth.

From file sharing and collaboration tools to AI-powered apps and productivity platforms, employees often sign up for services independently—sometimes without IT approval. Over time, this leads to a fragmented environment filled with both authorized and unauthorized applications.

Why SaaS Sprawl Creates Security Risks

While SaaS tools improve efficiency, unmanaged usage introduces serious risks:

• Sensitive data may be shared across unsecured platforms
• Duplicate tools increase costs and complexity
• IT teams lose visibility into where business data lives
• Unauthorized apps may not meet security or compliance standards

Without proper oversight, SaaS sprawl can expose businesses to data leaks, compliance issues, and cyber threats.

Browser Security: A New Way to Track SaaS Usage

As SaaS adoption grows, traditional security approaches are no longer enough. This is where browser security is emerging as a critical layer of protection.

Because most SaaS applications are accessed through a web browser, modern browser-based security tools can:

• Monitor which applications employees are accessing
• Identify both approved and unapproved SaaS tools
• Prevent sensitive data from being entered into risky platforms
• Enforce security policies in real time

This approach provides businesses with greater visibility and control at the point of use, helping to close gaps that other security tools may miss.

How Businesses Can Regain Control

To effectively manage SaaS sprawl, businesses should take a proactive approach:

• Create a clear list of approved SaaS applications
• Implement policies for acceptable use
• Monitor application usage across teams
• Leverage browser-based security solutions
• Work with IT or managed service providers for oversight

By combining visibility with strong policies, organizations can reduce risk while still enabling employees to use the tools they need.

Take Control of Your Cloud Environment

SaaS applications are essential to modern business operations—but without proper management, they can quickly become a liability. Understanding where your data is going and how applications are being used is key to maintaining security.

Contact us today for a meaningful conversation about managing SaaS usage, improving visibility, and protecting your business from unnecessary risk.

For small and mid-sized businesses, the question is no longer whether employees will use AI—it’s whether your business is prepared to use it securely.

The Rise of AI in the Workplace

AI-powered tools are appearing in nearly every area of business operations. From writing assistants and meeting transcription tools to customer service chatbots and data analytics platforms, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a standard workplace technology.

However, the rapid adoption of AI has created a new phenomenon often referred to as “Shadow AI”. This occurs when employees use AI tools independently without formal approval, guidance, or oversight from IT teams or business leadership.

While these tools may seem harmless, they can introduce significant risks if used improperly.

Protecting Sensitive Business Data

One of the biggest concerns surrounding AI usage is the potential exposure of sensitive data. Many AI tools require users to enter information in order to generate responses or insights. If employees input confidential company data, customer information, or internal documents into public AI platforms, that data may be processed or stored outside of the company’s control.

This creates potential risks involving:

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII) 
• Customer or employee data 
• Competitive business information 
• Intellectual property and proprietary content 

Without clear guidelines, employees may unintentionally expose information that should remain private.

Why Acceptable Use Policies Matter

As AI adoption grows, organizations should consider implementing AI Acceptable Use Policies that provide clear guidance on how these tools can be used responsibly.

An effective policy helps organizations define:

• Which AI tools are approved for business use 
• What types of information should never be entered into AI systems 
• How employees should handle sensitive data when using AI 
• Security and compliance expectations for emerging technologies 

Establishing these policies early allows businesses to take advantage of AI innovation while protecting critical data and maintaining regulatory compliance.

AI Security Is Part of a Larger Cybersecurity Strategy

AI security is not a standalone issue—it’s part of a broader cybersecurity and data governance strategy. Businesses should evaluate how AI tools interact with their existing security practices, including data protection policies, identity management, network security, and employee training.

Organizations are increasingly turning to their Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and technology advisors to help guide these conversations. MSPs can assist businesses in identifying potential risks, implementing appropriate safeguards, and developing governance frameworks that allow teams to use AI tools safely.

Technology advisors can also help organizations understand how AI fits into their broader technology strategy, ensuring that innovation and security evolve together.

Building a Responsible AI Strategy

Artificial intelligence will continue to shape the way businesses operate. The key is not avoiding these tools but adopting them thoughtfully and responsibly.

By establishing clear policies, educating employees, and working with trusted technology partners, businesses can safely embrace AI while protecting their most valuable assets—data, intellectual property, and customer trust.

The organizations that succeed with AI will be those that balance innovation with strong security practices.

Start the Conversation About AI Security

If your organization is beginning to explore AI tools—or if employees are already using them—it’s the right time to start a conversation about AI governance and security readiness.

Contact us today for a meaningful conversation about AI security, acceptable use policies, and the steps your business can take to adopt AI safely and responsibly.

At ClikCloud, we help businesses create secure, high-performing websites designed to attract visitors, build credibility, and convert leads into customers.

First Impressions Matter

Studies consistently show that users form an opinion about a website in just a few seconds. If your site looks outdated, loads slowly, or isn’t mobile friendly, potential customers may assume your business is behind the times.

A modern website should include:

• Clean, professional design

• Mobile-friendly responsiveness

• Fast loading speeds

• Easy navigation

• Clear messaging about your services

When your website reflects the quality and professionalism of your business, visitors are more likely to stay, explore, and contact you.

Security Is No Longer Optional

Cybersecurity threats are increasing every year, and websites are often targeted by automated attacks looking for vulnerabilities. That’s why security features must be built into your website from the start.

A secure website should include an SSL certificate, which encrypts data between your website and your visitors. This protects sensitive information and displays the secure “HTTPS” padlock in the browser, giving users confidence that their information is safe.

In addition to SSL, modern websites should also include:

• Regular security updates and patching

• Continuous Monitoring

• Secure hosting environments

• Backup and recovery solutions

These protections help safeguard both your business and your customers.

Your Website Should Work as a Marketing Platform 

A modern website is more than an online brochure—it should actively support your marketing efforts. With the right structure and content, your site can improve search visibility, drive traffic, and generate new business opportunities.

ClikCloud designs websites that are optimized for search engines, performance, and lead generation, helping your business stand out online while maintaining strong security standards.

Ready for a Website That Works for Your Business?

If your website hasn’t been updated in several years, it may be time for a refresh. A modern, secure website can strengthen your brand, improve customer trust, and support your long-term growth.

Contact ClikCloud today for a meaningful conversation about building a modern, secure website that protects your business and helps you attract more customers.

Shadow AI refers to employees using artificial intelligence tools without the knowledge, approval, or oversight of IT departments. Much like Shadow IT, these unsanctioned tools can create serious security and compliance risks if they are not properly managed.

What Is Shadow AI?

Shadow AI occurs when employees use public or unapproved AI tools to complete work tasks. This may include AI writing tools, meeting transcription tools, coding assistants, or data analysis platforms that are not vetted by the organization’s IT or security teams.

Often, employees adopt these tools with good intentions. They want to work faster, automate tasks, and increase productivity. However, without proper oversight, these tools can introduce significant security risks.

The Risk of Data Leaks and Sensitive Information Exposure

One of the biggest concerns with Shadow AI is data exposure. Many AI tools require users to input information to generate results. If employees enter confidential company data, customer information, financial records, or proprietary content into public AI platforms, that information could potentially be stored, processed, or used to train external models.

For small and medium-sized businesses, this creates the potential for:

• Data leaks 
• Privacy violations 
• Compliance issues 
• Exposure of intellectual property 

In many cases, employees may not even realize the risks associated with the data they are sharing, externally or internally to other employees.

Why Businesses Need an AI Acceptable Use Policy

To safely adopt AI tools, businesses should consider establishing a formal AI Acceptable Use Policy. This policy helps define how employees can use artificial intelligence responsibly while protecting sensitive company and customer information.

An effective AI acceptable use policy typically includes:

Approved AI Tools

A list of AI platforms that have been reviewed and approved for business use.

Data Protection Guidelines

Clear rules around what types of information can and cannot be entered into or accessed by AI systems.

Security and Compliance Standards

Guidelines that help businesses remain compliant with privacy regulations and cybersecurity best practices.

Employee Awareness and Training

Education to help employees understand responsible AI usage and potential data risks.

How Your Technology Advisors Can Help Businesses Manage AI Risk

Ask your Technology Advisor for assistance with this emerging challenge. In addition to traditional cybersecurity protections, we can assist your business by developing AI governance policies, implementing secure technology solutions, and providing employee training on safe technology practices.

AI will continue to evolve and become a valuable tool in the modern workplace. The key for businesses is to adopt these technologies thoughtfully and securely. With the right policies and oversight in place, companies can take advantage of AI’s productivity benefits while protecting the data that matters most.

Protect Your Business While Embracing AI

Artificial intelligence offers incredible opportunities for productivity and innovation, but it must be used responsibly. Establishing clear policies and security guidelines today can help prevent costly data exposure tomorrow.

If your organization is beginning to explore AI tools or wants to ensure your data remains protected, we can help. Contact us today for a meaningful conversation about secure AI use, cybersecurity best practices, and technology solutions that keep your business protected while moving forward.

Phishing and Why It’s So Dangerous

Phishing is a form of social engineering designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information, downloading malware, or granting unauthorized access to business systems. Attackers often impersonate trusted organizations, vendors, or even internal staff to create a false sense of urgency or legitimacy.

While email is the most common delivery method, phishing has evolved into multiple variants:

• Vishing – voice phishing via phone calls
• Smishing – phishing via SMS or messaging apps
• Social media phishing – fraudulent messages or posts designed to harvest credentials or spread malware

Regardless of the channel, the goal is the same: steal data, compromise accounts, or infiltrate your network. A successful attack can lead to identity theft, ransomware infections, financial loss, and long-term damage to your reputation.

How to Recognize a Phishing Attempt

Phishing messages often look convincing, especially as attackers use AI tools to craft more polished and personalized content. Still, there are reliable warning signs employees should watch for:

• Unsolicited messages requesting immediate action
• Urgent or threatening language, such as “Your account will be closed”
• Requests for passwords, payment details, or sensitive data
• Unexpected attachments or links
• Generic greetings instead of personalized details
• Branding inconsistencies, such as distorted logos or unusual email domains

If something feels “off,” it probably is. Employees should be encouraged to pause, verify, and report suspicious messages rather than respond impulsively.

Protecting Yourself from Social Engineering

Technology plays an important role in blocking malicious emails and preventing ransomware, but employee awareness is one of the most effective defenses. Consider implementing:

• Regular cybersecurity awareness training
• Simulated phishing exercises to reinforce best practices
• Clear reporting procedures for suspicious messages
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce account takeover risk
• Verification protocols, such as contacting the sender through a separate channel

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, and social engineering remains a top concern for businesses of all sizes. Now is the ideal time to review your security policies, update your response plan, and strengthen your defenses. For guidance tailored to your organization, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Importance of Keeping Your Website Secure

As your online presence, your website is a cornerstone of your digital brand strategy. Uptime and security make for a positive user experience. Therefore, protection of your website and by extension of your data, is critical. Numerous threats can invade your website, including:

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which can bombard your site with malicious traffic, which can slow or even shut it down. IP spoofing is closely connected, as a technique used to execute such attacks by hiding the identity of the sender.

Malware infection, where your website can be used to send SPAM and Phishing emails and even distribute a range of malicious software including ransomware.

Protect Your Website with a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

This is where a web application firewall (WAF) comes into play. As a boundary between internet traffic and your web server, a WAF monitors traffic to spot anything malicious, including malware and viruses, that could invade your network. It can block bad traffic, keeping it from your website and helping maximize uptime, via preset rules and policies. ClikCloud, as part of its services, includes an extra layer of protection that will safeguard your website.

Your website’s function and security are vital to your company’s reputation and digital marketing efforts. Let ClikCloud assist you today.  

Threats to Your Telecommunications System

Telecommunications tools face many of the same threats that target traditional networks. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can overwhelm systems with fake traffic, slowing or halting operations. Attackers may also intercept data paths to “eavesdrop” on conversations or use IP spoofing to impersonate legitimate users. Add in viruses and worms capable of replicating across systems, and the threat landscape becomes even more complex.

Tools for Defending Telecommunications Systems

Fortunately, businesses have strong defenses available. Transport Layer Security (TLS) provides both encryption and authentication, ensuring all parties are verified and data remains protected in transit. Certificate‑based authentication helps prevent spoofing by blocking unauthorized access attempts. Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems add further layers of protection, helping to identify and stop suspicious activity before it causes damage.

People and Processes Are Also Needed

Technology alone isn’t enough. Employee awareness training plays a critical role in preventing phishing and social engineering attacks that can compromise telecommunications platforms. Social engineering attacks are “sneakier” since they can appear to be from someone the recipient knows. There are telltale signs, however. When workers understand how to recognize these and other threats, they become an essential part of your security posture, instead of being a potential weak link. 

Telecommunications platforms are central to daily operations, and protecting the data they transmit is vital. For guidance on strengthening your communications security, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

What SaaS Data Protection Covers

SaaS backup solutions capture and retain email, user files, content creation and management sites, collaboration conversations, and application data from CRMs and accounting systems that run in the Cloud.

Key Benefits for SaaS Protection

• Compliance Ready: Support HIPAA, GDPR, and industry retention requirements with auditable backups.
• Faster Recovery: Reduce downtime with rapid restores and minimal business disruption.
• Risk Reduction: Protect against human error, malicious insiders, and cyberattacks.

How to Evaluate SaaS Data Protection

Ask these questions: What data sources are covered? How often are backups taken? Where is backup data stored and encrypted? Can you perform point-in-time restores and export data for audits? Ensure the solution aligns with my regulatory needs and recovery time objectives.

SaaS makes collaboration easier—but it also creates new responsibilities for data protection. For most businesses, implementing a dependable SaaS backup service is both a risk-mitigation strategy and a competitive differentiator. 

Avoid fines, recover faster, and keep business moving by making SaaS data protection part of your infrastructure. For assistance in finding out if SaaS data protection is right for you, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Real Cost of an Insecure Website

Security failures carry consequences that go far beyond technical downtime:

• Brand Reputation: A single “Not Secure” warning in a browser or a reported data breach can dismantle years of brand-building in seconds.
• SEO Performance: Search engines now prioritize experience, relevance, and trust. Insecure sites are frequently penalized in rankings, meaning your marketing efforts won’t reach your target audience if your site is flagged as a risk.
• Revenue Loss: Users will abandon a site that loads slowly, a common side effect of malware or background bot activity.

5 Critical Security Steps for 2026

To ensure your marketing funnel remains uninterrupted, your website must adhere to these modern security standards:

1. Implement HTTPS/SSL Everywhere: Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption is mandatory. It protects data transmission and ensures your site isn’t flagged as “Not Secure,” which is vital for maintaining search visibility.
2. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF acts as your frontline defender, filtering malicious traffic and blocking common attacks like SQL injections and DDoS before they reach your server.
3. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): With AI-powered “brute-force” attacks on the rise, simple passwords are no longer enough. MFA can block the vast majority of automated login attempts.
4. Automatic Backups & Disaster Recovery: Regularly backing up your site ensures that if a breach occurs, you can restore your operations quickly with minimal impact on your marketing campaigns.
5. Strict Patch Management: Outdated plugins or themes are the most common entry points for hackers. Keeping your CMS and all integrations updated is essential for closing known vulnerability gaps.

Security as a Competitive Advantage

At ClikCloud, we believe your marketing should be built on a foundation of integrity. By prioritizing website security, you aren’t just “checking a box”—you are telling your customers that their safety matters. In a landscape where the majority of consumers avoid unsecured websites, your commitment to protection becomes a powerful differentiator that drives conversions and long-term loyalty.

Ready to Secure Your Growth?

Don’t let a security vulnerability undo your hard-earned marketing results. Ensure your digital presence is resilient, fast, and trusted by your audience. Schedule a Website  Security Audit with ClikCloud today and let our experts harden your website against the threats of 2026.

What Is a Business Email Compromise?

Business Email Compromise is a type of cyberattack where criminals impersonate a trusted individual—such as an executive, vendor, or employee—to manipulate someone into transferring money, changing payment details, or sharing sensitive information. These attacks often bypass traditional spam filters because they rely on social engineering, not malicious links or attachments.

Common BEC scenarios include:

• A spoofed email from a “CEO” requesting an urgent wire transfer
• A fake vendor email asking to update ACH or payment instructions
• An HR-themed email requesting payroll or tax information

Industry and government reports show that BEC attacks cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year, making it one of the most financially damaging cyber threats today.

Why Medium-Sized Businesses Are Prime Targets

Many business owners assume cybercriminals focus only on large enterprises. In reality, medium-sized businesses are often ideal targets. They process significant financial transactions but may not have the same level of security controls or formal verification processes as larger organizations.

Attackers exploit:

• Trust in email-based communication
• Time-sensitive requests
• Gaps between finance, IT, and executive teams

One well-crafted email sent at the right moment can be enough to cause serious damage.

The Role of Email Security and Employee Awareness

Preventing BEC attacks requires more than basic spam filtering. While modern email security solutions help detect phishing and spoofing attempts, employee awareness and internal processes play an equally important role.

Best practices include:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for email accounts
• Clear verification procedures for financial or account changes
• Ongoing employee training on phishing and email fraud
• Monitoring for suspicious login behavior

Why Trusted Advisors Matter More Than Ever

Business Email Compromise is not just an IT issue—it is a business risk with real financial and reputational consequences. This is where a knowledgeable telecom or technology advisor provides meaningful value by helping businesses assess risk, implement layered protections, and align security with everyday operations.

If you are unsure whether your business is adequately protected against Business Email Compromise, now is the time to act. Contact us today to review your email security, employee practices, and overall risk posture. A short conversation today can help prevent a costly incident tomorrow.

For Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and small business owners, understanding the shift from “conversational” to “agentic” AI is the key to unlocking true operational efficiency.

What are Chatbots? (The Reactive Phase)

Chatbots are automated programs designed to interact with users via text or voice. Traditionally, they function as digital assistants that follow specific scripts or keywords to answer FAQs and handle routine tasks.

While sophisticated chatbots use data to personalize interactions, they remain reactive. They wait for a human to ask a question before providing a pre-programmed response. They are excellent for productivity—handling multiple queries at once—but they generally cannot “think” outside their defined parameters.

How Agentic AI Differs (The Proactive Phase)

The jump from a chatbot to an Agentic AI is a leap in autonomy. While a chatbot talks, an agent acts.

• Autonomy: Agents don’t just respond to prompts; they execute goals. If you tell an AI Agent to “optimize my schedule for next week,” it doesn’t just suggest times—it checks your calendar, emails your clients, and confirms the appointments.
• Reasoning: Powered by advanced models like Gemini and Claude, agents use machine learning to perceive context and take multi-step actions without human intervention.
• Tool Access: Unlike chatbots, agents can be equipped with “sensory inputs” and API access to your CRM, accounting software, and internal databases to complete end-to-end workflows.

Business Benefits & ROI in 2026

For SMBs, the benefits of AI Agents are measured in hours saved and revenue gained. Recent data suggests that properly implemented agents can save a small business up to 12 hours of manual labor per month.

Key ROI Metrics to Track:

1. Conversion Rates: Are agents qualifying leads and closing sales while you sleep?
2. Accuracy: Agents reduce human error in data entry and billing by up to 30%.
3. Revenue Growth: Experts suggest that AI integration should aim for at least a 3–5% increase in the bottom line to justify the investment.

The Future: A Collaborative Tech Stack

The future isn’t about replacing chatbots; it’s about orchestration. A chatbot might take the initial customer inquiry, while an underlying AI Agent handles the complex backend resolution—like processing a refund or troubleshooting a network lag.

As your trusted technology advisor, we can help you navigate these shifts, ensuring your AI experience is worthwhile.

Develop Threat Awareness

Becoming aware of the threats to your website is a first step. If a site is compromised and used to distribute malware, search engines can block it, causing lost traffic and reputational damage. Regular updates and a disciplined patching schedule reduce risk and prevent unplanned downtime.

Protective tools are essential but only effective when configured correctly. Key defenses every SMB should deploy include:

• Content Management System (CMS) patching to avoid vulnerabilities and malware exploits
• Secure Socket Layer SSL to encrypt user traffic and signal trust with the padlock icon
• A Web Application Firewall WAF to filter malicious requests and mitigate distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks  
• Multi Factor Authentication MFA to stop credential-based breaches. Popular WAF providers like Cloudflare can absorb large-scale traffic spikes and block automated attacks before they reach your server.

Protection Requires More than Tools

Beyond tools, enforce strong admin practices. This includes limiting login attempts, using role-based access, removing unused plugins, and scheduling backups. Test backup restoring regularly to expedite incident recovery. Combine automated monitoring with human oversight to catch anomalies early.

Clikcloud is a full-service agency, providing everything you need for a safe, secure website. If you want a security review or managed protection for your WordPress site, contact ClikCloud for a no-charge, tailored plan.

The Hidden Drain in the Cloud Era

Modern IT spending is scattered across vendor portals and dashboards, making waste easy to miss. Nearly half of executives estimate that 30% or more of cloud spend is wasted due to idle resources, overlapping services, and complex pricing. Billing errors and outdated contracts add another layer of avoidable expense—businesses that audit routinely recover 10–30% in savings.

From Telecom Audit to Technology Expense Management

A traditional telecom audit focuses on circuits and fixed lines. A modern Technology Expense Audit led by a Professional Technology Advisor expands scope to include:

• UCaaS and CCaaS — license optimization and contract alignment to reduce per-seat costs.
• SD-WAN and Cloud Connectivity — bandwidth right-sizing and SLA enforcement to avoid overprovisioning.
• Mobile and IoT — inventory control and roaming cost management to stop surprise charges.
• Cloud FinOps — eliminate idle instances, apply reserved instance strategies, and enforce tagging for cost accountability.

Why Continuous Optimization Matters

A Technology Advisor doesn’t stop at findings. They reconcile every service, apply FinOps principles to track usage, negotiate contract adjustments, and recover funds from billing errors. With the global Telecommunications Expense Management market projected to reach $5.2 billion by 2026, continuous expense management is now a strategic advantage—not just a cost control tactic.

Contact A1 BizCom today at (210) 651-5977 to schedule a Technology Expense Audit to uncover hidden savings and take control of your 2026 IT budget.

Why the Why Matters

Cyberattacks such as ransomware and targeted phishing are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Beyond immediate operational disruption, breaches can damage reputation and trigger fines under regulations like CMMC and HIPAA. Employees who see these risks as abstract are less likely to follow best practices. Communicating the business impact — lost revenue, downtime, and reputational harm — makes security tangible and motivates compliance.

Leadership Sets the Tone

Executives and managers must model secure behavior and prioritize cybersecurity in decision-making. When leadership frames security as a shared responsibility and ties it to employee priorities — uptime, productivity, and personal data protection — adoption improves. Simple messaging that answers “What’s in it for me?” helps win hearts and minds across departments.

Tools That Amplify Culture

Once the “why” is clear, choose tools that support people and processes. Extended Detection and Response (XDR) integrates telemetry across endpoints, cloud apps, and data stores for faster investigation. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) brings expert monitoring and response without overburdening internal teams. AI-enabled automation can correlate signals from multiple sources and stop attacks faster, while also reducing alert fatigue for staff.

• Cyber Insurance and Compliance: Cyber insurance can be a valuable part of a risk strategy, but insurers expect documented risk assessments, incident response plans, and baseline controls like multi-factor authentication for all accounts. Aligning your security program with compliance frameworks not only helps with insurance eligibility but also strengthens overall resilience.

• Make It Practical: Start with clear policies, role-based training, and regular tabletop exercises. Reward secure behavior and keep communications simple and relevant. Measure progress with incident metrics and employee engagement.

A strong cybersecurity posture blends culture, tools, and governance. Helping clients build that culture is the most effective way to reduce risk. Contact us today to design a security program that meets compliance and prepares you for cyber insurance requirements.

Common threats to your website

• Phishing and malware distribution — Compromised sites can serve malware or host phishing pages that steal credentials.
• Ransomware propagation — Hackers may use vulnerabilities to spread ransomware through downloads or plugins.
• DDoS attacks — Overwhelming traffic causes downtime that erodes customer confidence and revenue.
• Unpatched CMS vulnerabilities — Outdated content management systems are a top entry point for attackers.

Practical steps to secure your website

Keep platforms and plugins updated

Regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins to close known vulnerabilities and reduce exploit risk. Automate updates where safe and test updates in a staging environment before applying to production.

Enforce SSL sitewide

TLS certificates encrypt user traffic and signal trust to visitors and search engines; serve your site only over HTTPS. 

Deploy a Web Application Firewall

A WAF blocks malicious requests, reduces bot traffic, and mitigates layer 7 DDoS attacks before they reach your site.

Maintain frequent backups

Store encrypted backups offsite and test restores. Fast recovery minimizes downtime and reputational damage.

Run periodic security scans

Automated scans detect malware, file changes, and configuration weaknesses so you can remediate before issues escalate. 

Harden access controls

Use strong passwords, two-factor authentication for admin accounts, and strict role-based permissions.

Why this protects your brand

Being available, secure, and transparent builds trust. Fast recovery from incidents and visible security practices — HTTPS, privacy notices, and up-to-date content — reassure customers and search engines alike. That trust translates to higher conversions, repeat business, and stronger search visibility.

Next steps

Perform an audit of your CMS and plugins, enable SSL and 2FA, and schedule automated backups and WAF protection. If you want a practical, prioritized website protection plan tailored for MSPs and SMBs, contact ClikCloud to safeguard your brand and future.

AI Supercomputing Platforms

AI supercomputing platforms combine CPUs, GPUs, neuromorphic chips, and orchestration software to handle massive workloads in machine learning, analytics, and simulation. For businesses this means faster data processing, smarter automation, and new service opportunities in biotech, finance, and utilities. Gartner predicts 40% of companies will adopt hybrid computing architectures by 2028.

Multiagent Systems (MAS)

MAS are networks of AI agents that collaborate to achieve complex goals. These modular systems allow businesses to automate workflows, scale operations, and deliver faster, more reliable services. Reusable agent modules reduce risk and boost efficiency—ideal for managing distributed environments and client ecosystems.

Domain-Specific Language Models (DSLMs)

Generic LLMs often fall short for specialized tasks. DSLMs, trained on industry-specific data, offer higher accuracy and compliance. For businesses, DSLMs can enhance customer support, automate provisioning, and improve regulatory reporting. Gartner expects over 50% of GenAI models will be domain-specific by 2028.

AI Security Platforms

With AI adoption comes new risks—prompt injection, rogue agents, and data leakage. AI security platforms centralize visibility and enforce usage policies across third-party and custom-built AI tools. Your trusted security partner can use these platforms to protect client data, ensure compliance, and maintain trust.

AI-Native Development Platforms

These platforms empower small teams to build applications using GenAI, reducing reliance on large engineering departments. MSPs, systems integrators and Telecom agents can co-develop tools with clients, accelerating delivery while maintaining governance. Gartner predicts 80% of organizations will shift to nimble, AI-augmented teams by 2030.

Confidential Computing

By isolating workloads in trusted execution environments (TEEs), confidential computing protects sensitive data—even from cloud providers. This is critical for companies in regulated industries or clients with geopolitical concerns. Gartner forecasts 75% of operations in untrusted infrastructure will be secured in-use by 2029.

Preemptive Cybersecurity

Reactive security is no longer enough. Preemptive cybersecurity uses AI-powered SecOps and deception techniques to stop threats before they strike. Your trusted security partner can offer predictive protection services, helping clients stay ahead of evolving risks. Gartner expects preemptive solutions to account for half of all security spending by 2030.

Digital Provenance

With rising use of open-source and AI-generated content, verifying digital origins is essential. Tools like SBoMs and watermarking help ensure software integrity and avoid compliance pitfalls. Gartner warns that failure to invest in provenance could lead to billion-dollar sanctions by 2029.

Geopatriation

As global instability grows, more organizations are moving data to sovereign or regional clouds. Your trusted technology advisor can guide clients through geopatriation strategies, ensuring data residency and regulatory alignment. Gartner predicts 75% of European and Middle Eastern enterprises will geopatriate workloads by 2030.

To understand how these trends will affect your business, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Start with Strategic Clarity

Before allocating funds, clarify your business objectives. Are you aiming to improve customer experience, enhance cybersecurity, scale operations, or reduce overhead? Each goal demands different technology investments. For example, improving customer experience might require CRM upgrades, while scaling operations could mean investing in cloud infrastructure or automation tools.

Conduct a Technology Review

A comprehensive audit helps identify gaps, redundancies, and underutilized assets. MSPs and Telecom Agents can guide SMBs through this process, evaluating current systems and recommending cost-effective upgrades. This ensures that budget decisions are based on actual needs rather than assumptions.

Prioritize ROI-Driven Investments

Not all tech investments yield equal returns. Focus on solutions that offer clear ROI—whether through increased productivity, reduced downtime, or enhanced data security. Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), for instance, streamlines device oversight and reduces IT overhead, making it a high-impact investment for growing businesses.

Plan for Scalability and Flexibility

Technology should support your business not just today, but tomorrow. Choose platforms and services that scale with your growth. Cloud-based solutions, modular software, and subscription models offer flexibility without locking you into costly infrastructure.

Collaborate with Trusted Partners

MSPs and Telecom Agents play a vital role in helping SMBs align budgets with goals. Their expertise in lifecycle management, SaaS protection, and endpoint security ensures that businesses invest wisely and avoid costly missteps. Regular strategy sessions with your IT partner can keep your tech roadmap aligned with evolving business needs.

Monitor and Adjust

Budget alignment isn’t a one-time task. Track performance metrics, gather user feedback, and stay informed about emerging technologies. This ongoing evaluation helps refine your strategy and ensures that your tech investments continue to support your business objectives.

Make Technology Planning Part of our Business Operating System

Commit to making technology planning part of your annual budgeting cycle. In doing so, you can ensure your technology plans support your strategic business objectives. To get started contact your trusted technology advisor today.

In today’s digital-first world, basic website backups aren’t enough. You need cyber resilience: a strategy that ensures not just data recovery, but rapid restoration of operations.

The Real Cost of Website Downtime

For SMBs, downtime can cost $50,000–$100,000 per hour. Even a short outage can send customers fleeing to competitors. In fact, 37% of businesses lose customers after a website failure, and 44% report reputational damage.

Why Website Security Needs a Modern Backup Strategy

Today’s threats go far beyond hardware failure:

• Ransomware & Malware: SMBs are prime targets, with attacks often designed to hijack your website to further deliver ransomeware and malware. Without a resilient solution, recovery can take up to 21 days—a devastating delay.

• Cloud & SaaS Vulnerabilities: Platforms like Microsoft 365 and Salesforce don’t guarantee data recovery. Accidental deletions or insider threats require third-party backup solutions.

• Backup Blind Spots: Over half of businesses discover corrupted or incomplete backups only during a crisis. If your backup fails when you need it most, it’s as good as no backup at all.

The Gold Standard: Business Continuity for Website Protection

To truly safeguard your website and brand, follow these best practices:

Automated & Encrypted Backups
Back up your website databases, system files, and financial records daily. Use encryption and granular recovery options to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance.

Failover Site Readiness
Be prepared with a failover website that can go live instantly if your primary site goes down. This keeps your business online and your brand reputation intact.

Verified Recovery Testing
Regularly test and verify your backups through automated recovery drills. Confirm your Recovery Time Objective (RTO) aligns with business needs—because if you’re not testing, you’re only guessing.

Ready to Protect Your Website?

Don’t wait for a crisis to find out your backup strategy isn’t enough. Partner with a trusted MSP to build a resilient website security and business continuity plan that keeps your brand online—no matter what.

👉 Schedule a free website security audit today.

For years, Cybersecurity Awareness Month focused on basics like changing passwords and avoiding suspicious links. But in today’s world of hybrid work, cloud platforms, and weaponized Artificial Intelligence (AI), that advice is no longer enough. The threat landscape has evolved, and attackers now use AI to exploit human error at scale.

Small businesses are the primary target: 43% of cyberattacks hit SMBs, and 60% of those affected go out of business within six months. The average breach costs $120,000, and ransomware can cost $35,000 or more.

Layer 1: AI-Enhanced Phishing and Deepfakes

Email remains the top threat vector—but now powered by AI. Phishing attacks have surged over 1,200%, and deepfake scams are alarmingly convincing. One finance worker was tricked into wiring $25 million after a fake video call with a “CFO”.

Human error still accounts for 60% of breaches, underscoring the need for continuous, adaptive training. Employees should verify any financial request via a known phone number—never trust voice or email alone.

Layer 2: Zero Trust—Because the Perimeter Is Gone

The traditional “castle-and-moat” model is obsolete. With remote work and cloud access, the perimeter has dissolved. Enter Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): Never Trust, Always Verify.

• Identity is the new perimeter: Over 80% of breaches involve compromised credentials.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) must be used everywhere.
• Least privilege access limits lateral movement if one account is breached (source).

Layer 3: Active Defense with Your Technology Advisor

Awareness is just the start. Your Technology Advisor delivers layered protection:

• Managed Detection & Response (MDR): 24/7 monitoring to close the skills gap.
• Phishing Simulation & Training: Realistic, AI-adaptive employee education.
• Zero Trust Implementation: Enforce MFA and least privilege across all environments.

Cybersecurity is not a destination—it’s a layered journey. Strengthen every layer with modern tools, expert guidance, and a Zero Trust mindset. Prevention is always cheaper than recovery.

Gone are the days of a single telecom bill. Today’s IT and communications spending spans UCaaS, MDM, SaaS licenses, SD-WAN, and multi-cloud infrastructure like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This digital transformation has unlocked agility—but also created a perfect storm for unmanaged costs.

If your business still treats expense oversight as a simple telecom audit, you’re missing out on significant savings and strategic insights.

The Hidden Drain: Unseen Costs in the Cloud Era

Modern IT spending is fragmented across dashboards, vendors, and platforms. Without visibility, waste is inevitable.

• Cloud Waste Is Real: Nearly half of executives believe 30% or more of their cloud spend is wasted, often due to poor visibility and complex pricing.
• Billing Errors Persist: Businesses routinely save 10–30% by identifying outdated contracts, unused services, and billing inaccuracies.
• Complexity Is Costly: Telecom billing now includes recurring charges, usage-based fees, and variable cloud rates—making it nearly impossible to manage without expert help.

From Telecom Audit to Technology Expense Management (TEM)

A traditional audit focuses on fixed lines and circuits. A modern Technology Expense Audit, led by a Professional Technology Advisor, covers:

• UCaaS & CCaaS: License optimization and contract alignment.
• SD-WAN & Cloud Connectivity: Bandwidth right-sizing and SLA enforcement.
• Mobile & IoT: Inventory control and roaming cost management.
• Cloud FinOps: Eliminating idle resources and maximizing reserved instance savings.

The global TEM market is projected to reach $5.2 billion by 2026, highlighting its growing strategic value.

The Professional Technology Advisor Advantage: Continuous Optimization

A Technology Advisor doesn’t just audit—they act:

• Reconcile every service, license, and device.
• Apply FinOps principles to track usage and eliminate waste.
• Negotiate contracts and recover funds from billing error

Ready to uncover hidden savings and take control of your IT budget?

👉 Schedule your Technology Expense Audit today and turn cost management into a competitive advantage.

The Importance of Keeping Your Website Secure

Your website is a key part of your digital marketing strategy. Keeping it working, and working securely, is critical to a positive user experience and a high search engine ranking. Therefore, securing web traffic between users and the internet is vital, since these connections receive a great deal of personally identifiable information–names, addresses, payment card information, and more. Numerous attacks can threaten your website, including:  

• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) can slow down or even crash your website by flooding it with fake requests, crowding out legitimate access requests. Spoofing of an IP address makes the fake request seem genuine. 

• Social engineering attacks, often called “phishing” attacks, wherein a bad actor pretends to be a legitimate entity, tricking users into sharing confidential data like login credentials.

• Malware: Can steal company data or, as in the case of ransomware, make it inaccessible to the company without an expensive payment.  

Protect Your Website with a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A web application firewall (WAF) can help prevent malicious traffic from getting to your website 

from the internet. A good WAF serves as a checkpoint, monitoring traffic for viruses and malware. By blocking bad traffic according to preset rules and policies, it can maximize uptime and protect your website from bad actors seeking to steal confidential information. 

Your website is a key part of your digital marketing strategy, and web application firewalls can enhance both function and security. Let Clikcloud assist you today. 

The Need for Strong Cybersecurity 

With so many devices connected to company networks as well as to the Internet, the threat surface has greatly increased. And threats that can impact one device, can impact your entire network. According to CompTIA’s 2025 State of Cybersecurity report, 56% of organizations report security incidents, even with 78% now prioritizing cybersecurity. However, on a brighter note, an IBM report cited a $1.5 million reduction in costs from security incidents, in organizations with security awareness training and incident response plans. These programs and plans empower everyone with the knowledge to spot signs of a cyberattack and stop it in its tracks. While cybersecurity includes tools, processes and people, people are a very important part.

Technology, Processes and People 

The tools and processes are available, and many companies may have the technological tools in place as well as the processes. Software updates, firewalls and antivirus protection, and access and identity management are all things that your company already likely uses. Other methods of protection are in everyone’s hands. These include:

• Strong, unique passwords of at least 12 characters, with mixed numbers and letters and special symbols. Pass phrases are also effective. Workers should know to change these regularly and not re-use old passwords.

• Multi-factor authentication: When logging on, using more than one form of authentication adds an extra layer of security–for example, a one-time code and biometric in addition to a password or passphrase.

• Awareness of phishing scams and their variants, as well as indicators like misspellings and especially an urgent call to action.

• Using only secure Wi-Fi connections when working remotely, or logging into a VPN, again using strong passwords.

• Avoiding unsolicited attachments, because those are common malware vectors and often contain false sender names and other ways of tricking users into downloading attachments.

• Physical security measures like manually logging off work accounts and locking devices when not in use. 

• Safe Internet browsing habits, like avoiding suspicious sites. Sites with https:// instead of just “http://” show that a secure protocol is in place. Workers can also enable script and ad blockers. 

If something doesn’t look right, employees need to say something to an IT staff member. Lost devices need reporting as well as phishing scams, and employees need to be reminded not to click URLs or attachments. Timeliness is essential in helping stop an attack. 

Training in cybersecurity is for everyone, and common-sense precautions can help safeguard your data and applications. For further assistance, please contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Use Cases for Artificial Intelligence

Automation of tasks, analysis of data and documents and system optimization for telecommunications are just a few of the ways AI has the potential to save time and money. Examples include: 

• Automation: AI can automate repetitive tasks including data entry and compliance checks. It can also extract data from documents and provide actionable insights. Document-heavy workflows can be automated, freeing up human capital. AI can also analyze traffic patterns to identify possible anomalies that could indicate a possible security incident. Such intelligence can help prevent an incident before one begins. 

• Analysis: With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and gather insights, AI can help anticipate demand and help companies reduce the time it takes to create proposals, thereby saving time and shortening sales cycles. For purposes of compliance to data-protection regulations, artificial intelligence can analyze legal documents for changes in regulations. 

• Optimization: Artificial intelligence can be a great help with systems performance. From analyzing traffic patterns for ideal capacity planning to automatically adjusting bandwidth, artificial intelligence can help keep customer service operations going without interruption. Automation using artificial intelligence can detect possible equipment failure and help maintain call quality, along with automating call routing based on analytics about customer and issue type. This can help speed up call routing and keep customer service seamless.

While many business use cases exist for artificial intelligence, you will need to determine which will work best for your business. For further information and assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Vital Importance of Website Security Socket Layer

Providing a positive and secure website is a key responsibility of your organization. Customers need to know that whatever data they share with you will be safeguarded, not subject to loss or eavesdropping.  Or even worse, malware, which not only infects your site, but can take over your website infrastructure to relay the malware to other websites. Not only that, but keeping data secure keeps your company in compliance, hence avoiding fees and penalties. 

Data travels over the Internet constantly, and is subject to interception unless encrypted. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) can prevent bad actors from uploading malware to your site. Not only can the malware cause you problems, it can be used to distribute the malware using your website infrastructure. Another security layer protecting your site from malware distribution is CAPTCHA. With these measures in place, you can keep malware away from your website. 

What ClikCloud Can Do For You

ClikCloud can be your go-to for keeping your website functioning well and secure. We can do the SSL configuration for you, implement secure forms with CAPTCHA, monitor your website for issues before you experience problems, and more. A website security check is also available, to determine the current state of your website’s security. 

Your website can be considered your company’s storefront, and needs to perform at optimum while staying secure, thus providing visitors a positive experience. For a website security check as well as help safeguarding your website, contact ClikCloud today.

Understanding Network Security

Network technologies vary widely in their approach to security. At the core of any secure platform is end-to-end encryption, which ensures that data remains protected while in transit. Ideally, encryption should be enabled by default—not optional. Without it, your organization could be vulnerable to breaches, risking both your data and your reputation.

Other essential security layers include firewalls, malware scanning, and network segmentation—each designed to limit access and prevent unauthorized data exposure.

Common Threats to Your Network

Cyber threats don’t stop at your network perimeter—they extend to your website and communications tools as well. Key threats include:

• DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks that flood your systems with illegitimate traffic, slowing or disabling service.
• Eavesdropping via data path interception, allowing attackers to monitor or steal private communications.
• IP spoofing, where an attacker masquerades as a trusted device to infiltrate your network.
• Malware and worms that exploit vulnerabilities in connected systems, spreading rapidly with or without a host file.

These threats can impact availability, confidentiality, and trust in your business operations.

How to Protect Your Business Communications

Implementing strong security protocols is non-negotiable. Begin with Transport Layer Security (TLS), a protocol that provides both encryption and authentication between communication endpoints. Use digital certificates to verify identity and prevent spoofing attempts.

Complement these with robust firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and access control policies to minimize risk.

Train Your Team on Security Best Practices

Technology alone isn’t enough—your team must be trained to recognize and respond to threats. Security awareness training helps employees identify phishing attempts, avoid unsafe behavior, and report suspicious activity. A well-informed workforce is one of the best defenses against cyberattacks.

Stay Secure While Staying Connected

Securing your telecommunications environment isn’t just a best practice—it’s a business imperative. By combining strong technology with employee awareness, you can communicate confidently and protect what matters most.

Need help securing your communications? Contact your trusted technology advisor today.

What  “Windows End of Life” Means 

After October 14, while Windows 10 will still be available, it won’t work as well or be secure. Security updates and bug fixes won’t be provided, and technical support will be gone. This poses security risks, compliance issues and problems with hardware and software. On the security front, systems still running on Windows 10 will be prone to increased malware attacks (including ransomware) and security incidents. Extended Security Updates will be available, but only as a costly stopgap. Since compliance with regulations is related to security, businesses not upgrading to Windows 11 may face legal and/or financial penalties if out of compliance. Aside from these problems, the new tools and applications in Windows 11 won’t be compatible with Windows 10. Companies using legacy systems may also experience incompatibility with Windows 11, producing bottlenecks in productivity. 

Benefits of Upgrading to Windows 11

Windows 11 comes with new tools and features. Enhanced security is one, along with improved collaboration tools and even improved energy efficiency and sustainability. Your system can also be integrated with the cloud, and users can access their cloud connection right when they turn on their computers. Shortcuts will be available, helping users to save time. And they can even work offline and have their work sync back into the cloud upon connecting to the Internet. 

What You Can Do to Prepare for an O/S Upgrade 

Before upgrading, you will need to audit your systems to ensure they can support Windows 11; back up your data on Windows 10; and prepare your team for the new features and how to use them. Making sure current devices have the hardware requirements for Windows 11 will help prevent issues with the upgrade. Backing up data will help you recover it should there be issues with the upgrade. And educating your team will equip them to use the new version to best advantage. 

While the end-of-support date is approaching, there’s still time to get ready. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Why of Website Security

Of course you want your company’s website to be secure–it’s your brand, part of your company’s reputation. Your website needs to provide a positive user experience and keep your and visitors’ data secure. Part of that user experience means having your website always available, which in turn means safeguarding it from threats. Maintaining website security benefits you, too. It keeps your website free from attacks such as brute force (hackers guessing passwords to infiltrate the site), Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and other dangers that can compromise security, slow legitimate traffic, or even take down your website. Keeping your website available enhances user trust. What’s more, a secure website ranks higher in search engine results, keeping your website visible and enhancing your reputation.

Elements of Website Security

How do you know your website is secure? Conducting an audit, or security check, can help you assess how well tools and best practices are working. 

Tools: These include Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), which filter website traffic and pinpoint anomalies that might indicate an attack; Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates, which encrypt traffic between your web server and website users; and plug-ins and updates that can keep your website secure.

Best Practices: This involves access management (who can access internal areas of your website) as well as authentication (verifying the legitimacy of access requests) are ways to control access so workers have just the amount of data they need for their roles. Strong passwords changed regularly also help website security. 

Real-Time Monitoring and Data Backup: Real-time monitoring of website traffic patterns can indicate a possible problem so it can be quickly corrected. Having your website backed up regularly can help you get it back up and running quickly to avoid downtime.

Conduct a Security Assessment

The midpoint of the year is a good time to check the security of your website, though more frequent checks are even better. An assessment can show how well tools and best practices are working, and if any changes are needed. 

Your website security is vital to your company’s brand and reputation. For a free website security check, contact ClikCloud today.

What can effective telecommunications (telco for short) do for your business? First, it can enhance collaboration of workers, keeping it free from interruptions. Second, it improves the customer experience, helping them find answers to their questions via live chat, or switch to a phone call for more in-depth communication. Third, it can help your business win more revenue, and allow it to keep meeting its goals. So, how does a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) help improve telecommunications? 

How SD-WAN Can Boost Telco Performance

Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) brings together multiple networks from numerous providers providing business-class broadband in addition to the MPLS used in single-area networking. When one part of the wide-area network experiences bottlenecks, other parts of the network can pick up traffic so that operation of calls, video-conferencing and other applications function uninterrupted. Data doesn’t have to go through a central data center, thus travels more quickly and can be also more secure from loss or compromise.

What To Consider When Selecting a Provider

Questions to ask a possible provider concern performance and security. On the performance side, key questions to consider are whether there is rapid failover (does another part of the network quickly take over if one part of the network experiences a problem? Is delivery reliable, with low latency? Can you use your current network while the SD-WAN network is being built? Regarding security, does the provider offer improved safeguards like next-generation firewalls and encryption for data? Does the provider test the network for both performance and security? You’ll also need to audit your own network; is it strong enough to handle increased traffic? Do you have sufficient bandwidth? 

Software-Defined Wide Area Networking can improve your telecommunications performance, which can boost your revenue, and improve user experience. For further assistance in assessing your readiness and getting started, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Assessing Your Company’s Attitude Toward Artificial Intelligence

It’s been found that the attitude most likely to enable transformation using AI is an “AI-first” view–making AI fundamental to your organizational culture. Openness toward artificial intelligence includes recognizing how AI will align with business mission,value and goals. But how will your company arrive at this stance? It may not happen overnight. Companies that are willing to use AI to support operations, even if it doesn’t play a central role may be able to get to “AI-first” sooner than businesses where workers are resistant to or ignorant of AI. 

A good first step, in considering getting to an AI-First stance, is to “take the pulse” of your organization. Are more people in favor of than resistant to AI use? What are their fears about AI (perhaps that their jobs will be eliminated, for example)? What about AI excites them? Perhaps it’s the ability to use AI to brainstorm ideas for content, or ask AI questions, or saving time on routine tasks? Artificial intelligence can give insights that humans may not have thought of. Another issue is how much people trust the data used in the models, and results based on that data. Having a clear idea of your organization’s stance will show you the path toward effective AI implementation.

The Role of Business Leadership

The more a company – especially its leadership –  knows about artificial intelligence and how it works, the better able it is to leverage it for business goals. At the same time, each company is different, and how AI will help support goals is different. Understanding the role AI will have will help dispel doubts and fears about the technology. What’s increasingly clear is that people interacting with AI can be more productive than humans or machines alone; once users learn this, they likely will have a more positive attitude toward AI. The way company leadership plans implementation, with clear guardrails and procedures, will help an organization embrace artificial intelligence. 

No question, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. To learn more about what it can do to transform your business, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Importance of a Secure Website

Website security is important to your overall brand and reputation.  Having an unsecure website could leave you vulnerable to distribution of ransomware or worse. Bad actors could take down your site leaving your website down and leave it inaccessible to visitors.

Methods for Maintaining Website Security

Tools and processes are widely available to protect your website, and keep it available and secure. These include:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL): A Secure Socket Layer is a security protocol that encrypts data traveling between a web server and a client, making data unreadable even if intercepted. A website’s URL, when an SSL is in place, will show as “https”, helping enhance customer trust by showing that the site is secure.

• Data Compliance: Adhering to legal ethical and data-privacy regulations safeguards user data, and keeps your website secure. Also, keep software and patches up to date to address security flaws such as network holes.

• Website Monitoring: This technology is available in the cloud and can be automated or manual. Not only does it tell you how well your website is working, it points up any anomalies that could indicate a possible attack. Then, admins can take action before a problem becomes an incident.Tools such as Pingdom can survey your website’s performance.

• Web Application Firewall (WAF): This barrier protects specific web applications from attack, by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing traffic. It can keep malicious code from getting into your network, and block illegitimate traffic.

• Data Backup: Making copies of website data and storing them in a safe place helps your website get back up and running if it’s taken offline. If you have a security incident, intact and uncorrupted data can be accessed to keep your website available and secure.

Maintaining a secure website shields your company from financial and reputational loss keeps you safe and gives visitors a positive customer experience. For assistance with website security, contact ClikCloud today. 

Cost of Failing to Plan 

Natural disasters, as well as man-made cyber attacks, cause downtime, which is costly for your company–in more ways than one. First, it makes you unable to serve customers and perhaps unable to work at all. Who knows how much revenue you might have earned if you could get the network back up and running in a short time? Downtime, whether from an outage or just a decrease in network quality (a “brownout”) can cost an organization an average $600,000. Your company’s reputation can also suffer, if you are not available for business, or because of lost/compromised data. You may be subject to fines for non-compliance with data-protection regulations. How, then, can you afford not to have a clear and tested plan?

How to Develop a Plan

A Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) plan is a vital part of protecting your company from the consequences of a disaster, either natural (fire, hurricane or earthquake) or man-made (a security incident such as a ransomware attack). But how to get started, when the process may seem overwhelming? A good first step is to audit your network to discover how it’s doing currently. What network holes need patching up, and where are the bottlenecks? Do you currently have redundancy/failover to keep traffic moving? Also, what hazards and risks are most relevant to your location? Does any on-premise equipment have needed cooling mechanisms? Is every staff member prepared to handle a possible phishing email, a key avenue through which attacks can occur? All these questions, and more, are ones to consider.

Testing Your Plan

Once you have a plan in place, testing it will show if any weaknesses exist. You can also determine how well the plan works, and discover issues you haven’t anticipated. For example, can you recover backed up data quickly? This makes a difference in ability to comply with data regulations and hence maintain stakeholder trust. 

With natural and man-made threats ever present, it’s never too soon or too late to put a BC/DR plan in place. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Two “Sides” of Artificial Intelligence

Like most technology and technological tools, AI can be used for legitimate purposes by businesses, or unlawful and harmful aims like injecting malicious code or developing sophisticated social engineering attacks by cyber criminals.

On the “good” side, AI is helpful to businesses in content generation and process automation, and sentiment can be positive. According to a recent Telarus article, Gartner predicts that spending on generative AI is expected to top $600 billion in 2025, an increase of more than 75% from last year. The article also cites McKinsey, with that firm expecting more than 92% of executives increasing investment over the next three years. Not only are executives expressing confidence, but 72% of workers see AI bringing value to their work and 70% believing that gaining AI skills will improve marketability. Worries about AI replacing humans have ebbed, but other concerns remain. 

Of course, executives and other workers are not the only ones leveraging AI– so are bad actors. Increasingly, cyber attacks involving AI include sophisticated phishing schemes that can trick even vigilant email recipients. Exploiting vulnerabilities in platforms and models to introduce malicious code and attacks such as WormGPT and FraudGPT to steal money and set up fraudulent accounts, are additional dangers, according to a Telarus article about the recent RSAC conference. The same automation capability of artificial intelligence can be used to launch attacks, as well. 

Using Artificial Intelligence to Fight Cyberattacks

Interestingly, the very technology cybercriminals use in order to create more sophisticated attacks can also defend against these attacks. Businesses can use AI to help with cybersecurity in these ways:

• Threat Detection and Response: AI can analyze vast amounts of security data in logs and network traffic to identify unusual behavior that might signal an attack.

• Patching endpoints: even small to medium-size businesses have endpoints to protect, and AI can help identify which ones are vulnerable, and automate patching, even stopping incidents before they start.

• Email Security: Machine learning algorithms can find suspicious emails that signal possible phishing schemes. 

Artificial intelligence is growing more popular with businesses and bad actors alike. To learn how to develop a plan for using AI in cybersecurity efforts, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Website security centers around keeping access open to legitimate users and to keeping your website safe from cyberattack, maximizing the user experience for all.  Some tools, processes and procedures are dedicated to access management, and some to blocking attacks. Access and authorization management helps verify who in your company has access to which parts of the website and to the data in those areas; tools such as encryption, hiding your origin IP address, and blocking invalid traffic including bots, helps keep you safe from downtime and you and your customers safe from data theft. 

Managing Access Enhances Security

Managing access contains two practices, authentication and authorization. Both help to protect your website by ensuring those requesting access are who they say they are, and what they are allowed to see and do. Role-based permissions authorize some people to edit content and others only to view website analytics, for instance. For managing access, implementing multi-factor authentication makes it harder for bad actors to gain entry to your website, keeping it secure.

Manage and Measure Website Traffic to Prevent Cyber Attacks

Technological tools like web application firewalls, Secure Socket Layer and encryption help block invalid traffic and prevent attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). Not only that,  analytics aided by machine learning can spot traffic anomalies that might signal an imminent attack. Encryption keeps data from being read even if some data gets in the wrong hands. Multiple tools are needed to keep your website and its data secure. Having these tools in good working order is part of evaluating your website’s security.

Securing your website is vital to your business and the customers it serves, protecting their data and providing a positive user experience. For a review of your website, contact ClikCloud today.

The Importance of Data Quality for AI Initiatives

Since data is the “lifeblood” of artificial intelligence, it’s vital to have the best-quality data for your company’s AI initiatives. First, data needs to be reviewed to make sure it’s consistent, free of duplicates, and as bias-free as possible. Consistency of the data, beyond its training of the models to produce accurate results, also supports team collaboration; the ability to adapt and expand AI as your company’s needs grow (scalability); making auditing and reporting easier for the purpose of regulatory compliance; and overall trust in AI’s role in business decision-making. Duplicate data can cause certain data to be given too much importance, resulting in bias. This duplication could even undermine the ability of the models to learn patterns. And errors in data could produce incorrect results, or hallucinations. 

Other Components of Data Readiness

Security of your data is a starting point. Has your company performed a data audit, searching for confidential, personal or private information, so it is safe and secure? In terms of governance, what are your underlying policies for determining how secure your data is for use by employees with AI models? Part of governance is data confidentiality and the access to data, ensuring the data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Managing the data is yet another component, and involves having the tools and architecture to handle the volume of data and how fast it is generated.

Consulting with a Technology Advisor

The next step could be a consultation with your technology advisor. One question to consider is your business goals and how the benefits of artificial intelligence can support these goals. You’ll also need to consider your infrastructure and if it has enough bandwidth for the demands of AI. Along with increased bandwidth, latency needs to be decreased. Also, will you keep your data on-premises, go with colocation, or with managed hosting? These options have pros and cons to consider.

Using artificial intelligence, while helping reach business goals, also requires much thought and planning. For help, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Artificial Intelligence Changes Threat Landscape

With all of AI’s potential, it can be used for good or for ill. Threats can become more sophisticated, including:

• Phishing: AI can be used to design highly sophisticated phishing schemes, causing an email to appear to be from a CEO authorizing actions that can result in fraud. Moreover, the usual tell-tale signs of a phishing email (like grammar and typographical errors) are eliminated, making the email seem legitimate.

• Deep Fakes: Artificial intelligence can be used to construct fake videos from audio and video clips, making a person appear to say something they never said. Your company could experience reputational damage as a result.

• Employees may unintentionally leak private or confidential information through rogue AI.

How Artificial Intelligence Can Enhance Your  Cybersecurity Posture

Even with this daunting picture, artificial intelligence also has potential for good, by bolstering cybersecurity. Since its models are trained on vast amounts of data, it automatically scans for threats with an efficiency that surpasses mere human effort. By analyzing data quickly, It can detect threats early, and keep a small abnormality from becoming a security incident. Should an attack occur, IT staff can mitigate the damage quickly.

Employee Education and Training Still Needed

According to an article by CompTIA, data collection and AI algorithms are becoming a cornerstone of cybersecurity. Even with AI’s immense power, human intervention and education are still necessary. For instance, workers will still need to know how to recognize a phishing email and follow procedures to prevent its consequences. Human oversight is still needed on the part of IT professionals who can evaluate AI’s results. Every employee still needs training in cybersecurity, since many security incidents result from human error. 

With artificial intelligence becoming central in cybersecurity, its potential is exciting. Yet, companies need to consider how big a role it will have in their business. For further guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Need for Website Security

Many layers of defense for your website are needed, and many parts create a comprehensive defense. Not only do you need technological tools, but security policies and employee training. Your website security strategy needs multiple layers to protect against rising threats such as malware (including ransomware), Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and others that can threaten your uptime and data security, not to mention the reputation of your website and your company. Securing your website prevents attacks as well as their consequences like blacklisting of your website and loss of customer trust. 

As an owner of a small to medium-size business, it’s easy to think that your company is not on the radar of bad actors, that only big-name companies are targets. Websites of smaller companies are no less attractive to hackers and other cybercriminals, since these websites might not be as well protected. That need not be the case, though; through planning your security and implementing that plan, you can protect your website’s security.

Use Multiple Layers to Secure Your Website

Do you have a strategy for protecting your website, one with multiple levels that involve tools, processes and people?  Website security requires technological tools like web application firewalls, practices like hiding your IP address as well as putting in role-based permissions; and training your workers to be wise about access, by using more than one piece of information for accessing the website. The latter practice, called two-factor or multi-factor authentication, involves more than one method for access. Typically, the user provides something they know (their username-password combination), something they have (for example, a one-time mobile-generated code) and something they are (a biometric like a thumbprint or facial recognition).

Protecting your website is necessary for user experience and to give visitors confidence in your website and your company itself. For further assistance, contact ClikCloud today.

What is Generative AI?

Simply put, Generative AI uses machine learning models to create new content, be it text, images, code, or even audio. As CompTIA explains in their article, “What is AI?” (https://www.comptia.org/content/research/what-is-ai), AI encompasses a broad range of technologies, with Generative AI being a powerful subset focused on content creation. It’s not just about chatbots; it’s about automating tasks, boosting creativity, and unlocking new levels of efficiency.

Practical Use Cases for Your Business

Imagine automating customer service responses, generating marketing content tailored to your audience, or even creating personalized product descriptions. Generative AI can streamline workflows in numerous areas, including:

Marketing: Generating social media posts, email campaigns, and blog content.

Customer Service: Providing instant support through AI-powered chatbots.

Sales: Creating personalized sales pitches and product recommendations.

Operations: Automating data entry, report generation, and other repetitive tasks.

Software Development: Assisting with code generation and debugging.

Preparing Your Business: A Step-by-Step Approach:

Generative AI thrives on data. Before implementing any AI solutions, you need a clear understanding of your data landscape. Conduct a readiness assessment, focusing on data classification. This is critical for protecting sensitive or confidential information.

Data Classification and Security: Ensure your data is properly classified and secured. AI models can inadvertently expose sensitive data if not handled correctly. This is where your MSP’s expertise becomes invaluable.

Choose Commercial Licensed AI: While free GPT services might seem appealing, they often lack the security, control, and support needed for business applications. Commercial licensed AI solutions provide robust security features, data privacy guarantees, and dedicated support. They are designed for business use, ensuring compliance and data protection.

Implementation and Training 

Strategic Implementation: Don’t jump into AI blindly. Start with pilot projects to test and refine your approach. Focus on areas where AI can deliver the most significant impact.

Employee Training: Equip your team with the skills and knowledge to effectively use AI tools. This includes understanding the technology’s capabilities and limitations.

Partner with a Trusted Technology Advisor: Your technology service provider can guide you through the AI landscape, helping you select the right solutions and ensure seamless integration. They can also perform crucial readiness assessments and implement security measures.

Embracing Generative AI can give your business a significant competitive advantage. However, it’s essential to approach this technology strategically and with a focus on data security. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted technology advisor for guidance and support. They can help you navigate the AI revolution and unlock its full potential for your business.

What Software as a Service Backup is and Why You Need It

Any business – no matter the size – generates, transmits and stores high volumes of data every day. How will your business protect that data from theft or corruption, and your mission-critical applications from misuse? Software as a Service (SaaS) Backup is a cloud-based way to guard SaaS applications data against data leaks, cyber attack and natural disasters. Cyber threats abound, from business email compromise including ransomware that can steal your data, to bad actors stealing or corrupting data through employee error, or even accidental or unintended deletion. How can SaaS Backup help?

Key Features and Use Cases of Software as a Service (SaaS) Backup

SaaS Protection offers a variety of services to safeguard your data and applications, including:

• Compliance Management, to assure that SaaS applications and data meet relevant compliance regulations.

• Strong Security Posture: an overall and ongoing process of assessing the security of data and processes, and managing that security.

• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Setting plans in place to back up and recover data due to employee error or data exfiltration.

Cloud backup vendors offer services for various use cases. For instance, for the many users of MS Office Suite applications like Email, OneDrive and others, vendors can provide the additional backup such applications need. For instance, how will your company restore a deleted mailbox? With OneDrive, additional protection is needed, including independent backup and recovery capabilities. Some services include automation of backup. You will need to confer with your vendor about features you need the most. 

What to Consider in Adopting SaaS Protection 

When seeking a SaaS vendor, it’s vital to know what is your responsibility versus the SaaS provider’s responsibility. While the SaaS provider furnishes and handles the infrastructure, your company needs to know what data is mission-critical, and what data regulations you need to follow. Not only that, you need clear and well-enforced policies for data retention and management.

SaaS Backup offers data safeguards that your business needs. To learn more, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Benefits of a Secure Website

Even websites for small companies take in, store and use considerable amounts of data, including personally identifiable information (PII). This can include names, addresses, phone numbers, emails and even payment card information. How a company handles this data can make the difference in avoiding service disruptions, maintaining customer trust, and complying with data regulations. Website security, as supported by user access management, can support these goals.

The Role of Access Management

Access management is the practice of controlling access to a website’s backend. Only authorized individuals can access and use certain data and applications that are key to their roles. Least-privilege access protects data by limiting access to those needing the data. Of those who access confidential data, strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are additional protections.

Multi-Factor Authentication Adds Extra Security

Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) is another best practice within access management, and involves using more than one piece of information to verify access requests. It adds an extra layer of security. When someone enters a password, the system will ask for an additional item, such as a one-time numerical code or a biometric factor. Even if a bad actor has a stolen password, having to enter information they don’t know could be a deterrent.

Being Password Smart

Establishing effective passwords to start with is another way to safeguard sensitive information. Passwords should be about eight to twelve characters and contain upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. Even better is a passphrase that is meaningful to the individual and is easily remembered. Be sure to emphasize to all workers that they need to change passwords frequently as well as refrain from using the same password for multiple sites. 

Your company website should reflect your brand, provide a positive user experience, and remain secure. For further assistance, contact ClikCloud today.

A Brief History of 5G Technology

In 2020, the fifth generation of Internet technology arrived and has been growing ever since. By April of that year, some providers had expanded to more than 7000 cities. A few years later, 5G mobile subscriptions were expected to increase to 2.3 billion; subscriptions are expected to more than double by 2030. Some forecasts are more ambitious than others, but your company will need to look past the hype and consider what advantages 5G can bring to your telecommunications. 

Advantages of 5G for Telecommunications

Business telecommunications require strong connectivity to run without interruption. Wireless 5G offers enhanced bandwidth hand-in-hand with low latency to provide a seamless telecommunications experience. Files can be shared easily, supporting file sharing which in turn can facilitate collaboration in the office and remotely. Scalability allows companies to add more devices and bandwidth as business needs grow. Private 5G in particular can provide security by using encryption to keep data safe. 

5G and SD-WAN Together

According to a CompTIA article, the combination of the 5G technology and Software-Defined Wide Area Networking can provide speed (5G) and reliability at the same time, reducing costs while maximizing uptime. Companies can simply pay for 5G coverage and use the provider’s circuits. Network slicing enhances security by isolating cyberthreats from the rest of the network. 

The newest generation of Internet connectivity has great applications for telecommunications and other applications. For further guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Phishing and its Dangers

Phishing is a subset of social engineering attacks, and is a form of manipulation whose object is to falsely obtain personal information, inject malware into a computer network, or both. A bad actor can use an email to trick an unsuspecting victim into responding to appeals to fear, or even wanting to be helpful. Variants of phishing include vishing (voice phishing), or smishing (via text message) or even via social media sites. Whatever the medium, the objective is the same–stealing data or distributing malware on a company’s network. Any social engineering attempt can cause a security incident resulting in identity theft or financial and reputational loss to your business. 

How to Recognize a Phishing Attack

What does one do with an unsolicited email, or phone call, or text, that looks like it’s from a legitimate entity? The very fact it is unsolicited is a clue, and if it contains an urgent appeal for action, that’s a tip-off that it isn’t what it seems. Such urgent action could be addressing a password issue or updating an account. Irregularities in graphic images as well as grammatical errors are also signs. Even though artificial intelligence can now be used to generate emails not containing these errors, the urgent calls to action remain the same.  Other signs include:

• Requests for money or sensitive information
• Files and attachments not requested by the receiver
• Generic messages rather than ones with specific details

Protecting Your Business from The Dangers of Social Engineering

Organizations can use technology to prevent ransomware and security incidents, but one of the best ways to prevent such attacks is employee training. Do workers know what to do and not to do with a suspicious email, text or phone call? Do they understand the dangers posed by social engineering attacks, and what to look for? One way to check a message’s legitimacy is to contact the supposed sender by a different method, to verify if the message is legitimate or not.

Social engineering attacks are among the many threats to your company’s cybersecurity. Now is the time to review your response plan. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Importance of Keeping Your Website Secure

As your online presence, your website is a cornerstone of your digital brand strategy. Uptime and security make for a positive user experience. Therefore, protection of your website and by extension of your data, is critical. Numerous threats can invade your website, including:

• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which can bombard your site with malicious traffic, which can slow or even shut it down. IP spoofing is closely connected, as a technique used to execute such attacks by hiding the identity of the sender.

• Social engineering attacks, such as phishing, where the bad actor pretends to be a legitimate entity and tricks users into giving confidential data like login credentials.

• Malware, which can steal company data. Ransomware, especially, can encrypt data and demands a payment for decryption.

All such attacks are aimed at stealing data, which can lead to downtime as well as loss of customer trust. 

Protect Your Website with a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

This is where a web application firewall (WAF) comes into play. As a boundary between internet traffic and your web server, a WAF monitors traffic to spot anything malicious, including malware and viruses, that could invade your network. It can block bad traffic, keeping it from your website and helping maximize uptime, via preset rules and policies. ClikCloud, as part of its services, includes an extra layer of protection that will safeguard your website.

Your website’s function and security are vital to your company’s reputation and digital marketing efforts. Let ClikCloud assist you today.  

Security in Telecommunications

Various platforms are available for business telecommunications, with varying security protocols. One of the most important, if not the most important, is data encryption. For some platforms, this can be activated manually, though it’s even better for encryption to be by default. Without encryption, as well as other defenses like firewalls and virus scanning, in place, your data remains at risk and hence your reputation.

Threats to Guard Against

The same threats that can attack your network can also impact telecommunications tools. Distributed Denial of Service attacks can bombard your system, including telecommunications, with fake traffic and slow the system down or even bring it to a halt, impacting uptime. A bad actor can “eavesdrop” by gaining access to a data path and reading employee conversations. Another threat, ID spoofing, involves an attacker identifying and then using the IP address of a network or attached device to pretend to be a legitimate participant. Add to this viruses and worms that can replicate malicious code with or without a host, and the threat landscape is widened. 

Protecting Your Business Telecommunications

Thankfully, numerous mechanisms can protect your telecommunications from attack. One key defense is encryption, and another is authentication. Transport Layer Security (TLS) provides both as a protocol that defends telecommunications from attack by authenticating all parties and encrypting the data passing between them. Authentication via certificates can prevent spoofing, for instance, by depriving bad actors of information used to pretend to be a legitimate party. Other mechanisms include firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems.   

Employing Best Practices is Important

Not only are tools important, but training workers in best practices can keep telecommunications safe. Recognition of phishing emails and other security threats via awareness training is necessary for workers to help stop attacks on telecommunications platforms. 

Use of telecommunications platforms involves data transmission and storage, and protection of the data is crucial. For additional guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Need for SaaS Backup

With expansion of the availability of Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud computing model and its business applications, comes an expansion of the amount of data generated and needing protection. Threats to data include accidental deletion, data leaks due to insider threats or compromise from cyber attacks. The very cloud model that powers business applications and keeps companies running also provides backup of data via SaaS Backup. Data needs to be protected for the sake of customers and other stakeholders as well as to help companies comply with data-handling regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR. Data mishandling can result in fines as well as the loss of customer trust.

The Benefits of SaaS Data Protection

Software as a Service, along with making work more efficient, creates a shared responsibility between your company and the SaaS provider. It is important to consider if your SaaS provider capability is in line with data protection strategy. Email, user data, financial records, customer data and more may reside in the cloud and be managed by your SaaS provider. You may need longer periods of data retention to comply with your industry regulations and your business requirements. SaaS data backup protects files, email, website and more to fill the gaps.

Considerations in Use of SaaS Backup

When discussing needs with a cloud service provider, it’s smart to have some questions answered ahead of time. What is the mission-critical data that needs to be backed up first? How frequently do you need to back up this data? What data-handling regulations do you have to follow, and how will your provider help you do this? 

With the use of cloud-based Software as a Service, data protection is critical to avoid fines and penalties as well as maintain customer trust. For further guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The need for a secure website seems self-explanatory, but the overall goal is to protect your business and your customer data, while providing a user experience that will keep customers coming back. Because your website is a key component to your brand, uptime is imperative.  So is website security in order to provide your customers and prospects a sense of trust.  Having your website available and avoiding costly downtime also keeps user experience positive. By securing your website, you will also experience the benefit of a high search engine optimization ranking and a good reputation. Technical tools, along with best practices, will help you combat the threats to website security.

What’s Needed for Website Security

Securing your website from common threats involves a combination of tools, policies and best practices. Tools include web application firewalls, updated plug-ins and themes, and a secure socket layer (SSL) certificate. The web application firewall (WAF) filters out bad traffic that can crowd your website and slow its performance or take it down entirely. A Secure Socket Layer certificate verifies your website’s authenticity and enables encryption of the traffic between a user’s browser and your website server. Updating plug-ins and themes helps you access new features along with security updates.

Along with technical tools, best practices for security can help safeguard your website and its data. Beyond the tools, access control and user management practices will keep data safe, by preventing unintended access. Password management protects your website and its users by ensuring users develop and maintain unique, hard-to-guess passwords and that passwords are changed regularly. Backing up your website helps keep it always available. 

Perform a Website Security Audit

The start of a new year is a good time to perform a website security audit. Do you have your plug-ins and themes up to date? Is your website application firewall working like it should, filtering out the wrong kinds of traffic? Does your website have an SSL certificate? Also, you might need to review user permissions so you know that access requests are legitimate.

Website security is a vital part of your company’s digital marketing, to provide a positive experience to visitors and avoid financial and reputational loss. For help with your website security strategy, contact ClikCloud today. 

The Evolution of 5G Technology

Since its release in 2019, the use (and use cases) of fifth generation (5G) cellular networking has experienced remarkable growth and continues to grow. The market has expanded by trillions of dollars, and 5G has applications across numerous industries. At this time, it has superseded all previous generations, from the first in the 1980s powering analog voice communications to the fourth which ushered in mobile broadband. 

And how does 5G surpass previous generations? It offers an increase in internet connection speed, along with increased bandwidth (it can function on low, medium and high bands). It has an even greater capacity for data, and offers low latency so data can travel at even higher speeds. Telecommunications applications will function more quickly and reliably. Video conferencing and telephone calls run smoothly, delighting both workers and customers. Files can be shared quickly, helping you serve customers more efficiently, giving you a competitive edge.

Private 5G – A More Secure Choice

Another trend to watch is the use of private 5G networks. Though similar to public 5G, private 5G offers a personalized experience that fits your company’s needs. For example, access can be limited to a single entity (your company) and you can control the network and protect your data. Since 5G is cloud-native, the provider handles the infrastructure and saves you capital expense. You can deploy and control your own data, an advantage in this age of increasing cybersecurity risks.

Considering Cybersecurity

With its capabilities, 5G can present cybersecurity challenges. Along with the potential of 5G, your company needs a plan for handling security challenges. First, the increased capacity for data means considering how to store that data. Second, more data is moving from place to place. Third, with more devices connected, the threat surface increases. Vulnerabilities might be introduced by components of previous generations, and these could threaten data security. Future concerns might be present that are as yet unknown. As always, your company needs to thoughtfully consider 5G and what telecommunications use cases fit with business goals. 

The latest generation of wireless technology offers both potential and challenges. For further information and guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Just What Are Chatbots? 

Chatbots are automated programs that use artificial intelligence to interact with humans via text, graphics, video or voice. They are programmed to help with simple, routine tasks and questions. They can vary  in sophistication to be digital assistants that can handle requests in a more personalized way as well as process information. The more sophisticated chatbots can use data to be more interactive and personalized. 

Chatbots bring value through productivity enhancements. They can augment writing, research and graphics to free up workers for more complex and strategic tasks. Where humans can only perform tasks one at a time, chatbots can handle multiple requests simultaneously, or serve multiple customers. Customer research has shown that messaging applications are becoming the preferred method for some transactions, according to an Oracle article. 

How an AI Agent Differs From a Chatbot

A higher level of sophistication is a key difference between agents and chatbots. Chatbots can certainly elevate performance by automating tasks and workflows, as long as tasks aren’t terribly complex. Agents powered by AI can be even more efficient, acting autonomously based on data, natural language programming, and machine learning.  Human workers can equip agents with algorithms, sensory inputs, data sources and even other agents to perform tasks like perceiving context, taking action (through completion), and using this experience in the future. Agents can be taught to learn, as well as tailored to set goals and act on those goals. Unlike chatbots, agents don’t depend on keywords or scripts.

Business Benefits of AI Agents

Via continuous training, along with more data, agents can even recognize when they don’t have enough information to make a solid decision, and can gather more data. They can work even outside office hours, allowing businesses to get more work done, since they aren’t prone to downtime. They can complete tasks the same way every time, increasing accuracy, like making sales calls and scheduling meetings. Agents can automate processes and save costs, and even find ways to further optimize processes to eliminate possibly costly errors for the company.

Return on Investment in AI Agents

How will you know if your use of AI agents is paying off? Are you experiencing more conversions and serving more people? How many more? How much revenue are you bringing in as a result of automation? How many minutes per customer interaction are you saving by using the agent? Spending for AI can be justified if it alters the bottom line, increasing it by at least 3% according to some experts. 

Agents and Chatbots Working Together

While perhaps it remains to be seen, agents and chatbots could work together, but for different purposes. Perhaps chatbots could take an initial question and answer it, but if the situation becomes more complex, it could be transferred to an AI agent. 

The future of artificial intelligence is exciting. Stay tuned, and keep in touch with your trusted technology advisor. 

Develop Threat Awareness

WordPress is a great content management system, unprotected it  is enticing to cybercriminals. If your site is compromised and distributing malware, it can also be blocked by prominent search engines like Google. WordPress is an open source content management system that provides a wide range of features and functions through plugins.  Keeping WordPress and plugins up to date protects your website from compromise and avoids any unplanned downtime or reputational loss.

Hackers can enact brute-force attacks on websites or clutter your website with fake traffic. The good news? You can use a variety of security tools and safeguards to protect your website. While these tools are commercially available, the responsibility lies with the website owner or webmaster to properly configure and deploy them. 

How to Protect Your Website

Various measures exist to protect your company’s website – Secure Socket Layer (SSL), Web Application Firewall (WAF), and Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA), to name a few. All these tools are a necessity in today’s world:

Secure Socket Layer (SSL): Moving your website to a secure socket layer provides an extra level of security by encrypting traffic between a user and a web server. If the information is intercepted, it cannot be read. When customers go on an SSL-protected website and see the https:// as well as the padlock icon, they can rest easy knowing the site is secure. SSL is a core requirement for any business website.

Web Application Firewall: Web application firewalls (WAF)  serve to filter and monitor traffic between a web application and the Internet. WAF solutions, such as Cloudflare can protect your website from an embarrassing Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack.

Multi-factor Authentication: sometimes called two-factor authentication, this is a way to verify that a user is legitimate by having them enter a password and then a code or biometric. Ensure your WordPress has the appropriate plug-ins to offer this protection. 

WordPress is compatible with a range of security tools designed to keep your website safe, but you or your website manager are still responsible for making the most of these features. If you are concerned about your website security or to learn more, contact ClikCloud today.

The Why of Cybersecurity

The need for cybersecurity seems clear, doesn’t it? Cyberattacks are growing in frequency and complexity, with threats like ransomware and the phishing emails that can introduce ransomware into your system. Add to this the possibility of security incidents that can threaten your company’s bottom line and reputation. Compliance with data protection regulations like CMMC and HIPAA needs to be part of your cybersecurity plan, too, in order to keep from having to pay fines and from losing trust. These reasons may seem abstract to the average employee; if your company has best practices, and workers are following these practices, they may not understand clearly why they are doing so. 

Establishing a Culture of Cybersecurity

If executives and managers understand the importance of cybersecurity (the “why”) they can set the tone for the entire company. Knowing that the entire company values cybersecurity and understands what it takes to make it part of the culture can motivate everyone to participate. Showing every employee that it benefits them may be the key to winning hearts and minds. What is it your employees want? For example, some may want to be efficient and not worry about downtime. Others may especially want the peace of mind of knowing their own employee data is secure. Once everyone is clear about the “why”, your company can move on to specifics of tools and training. 

The Role of Tools

Once everyone understands the overarching reasons for cybersecurity, your company can then decide which tools to use. Managed detection and response (MDR) and extended detection and response (XDR). Extended detection and response is a more comprehensive, efficient way to protect your network, since it integrates detection, investigation and response capabilities over a wide range of domains–endpoints, cloud applications and workloads, and data stores. Automation enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) can gather information from many different sources, and even stop a cyber attack in its tracks. What’s more, these tools can be a part of your compliance picture should you decide to purchase cybersecurity insurance.

Do You Need Cyber Insurance?

Do you? Perhaps so. Cyber insurers’ requirements, while strict, can correspond with protections a company may already have in place. For instance, insurance companies assume you’ve already assessed risks and have an incident response plan to address them. Doing so suggests a proactive stance, as does instituting common-sense precautions like multi-factor authentication for everyone in the organization, including for privileged accounts. Depending on needs, cyber insurance may be a good fit for your company.

The cybersecurity puzzle can be complex, but having a plan can help you with compliance, incident response and cyber insurance requirements. For additional assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Business Operations Require Strong Telecommunications 

With people working anywhere and everywhere, remote work is here to stay. Your telecommunications applications need to be up to the task, for collaboration among workers and customers’ interactions with your business. Efficient telecommunications can help enhance collaboration and make communication seamless, improving the user experience and garnering more revenue as well. Software-defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) is the best option for making such things happen.

Software Defined Wide Area Networking Improves Efficiency and Security

A software-defined wide area network is a cloud-based approach to the management of a wide-area network. SD-WAN brings together multiple networks to make connection seamless, using business class broadband as well as MPLS already used in simple wide-area networking. With the cloud provider maintaining the infrastructure, all that is needed for the users is an Internet connection and an appliance like a laptop computer. Users and devices can easily be added, making this way of networking scalable. What’s more, SD-WAN eliminates the need for data to travel to a data center before reaching its destination, thus making the data less liable to loss, compromise and latency. A built-in firewall and centrally managed security policies protect you from bad actors accessing your network. If something happens and policies need to be changed, the changes can be programmed and easily go out to all devices attached to the network.

Considerations in Choosing a Provider

What if you are considering SD-WAN to boost your telecom offerings, but aren’t sure where to start? When looking for a provider, ask them if they can work with your current network while getting the new one started. Will they work with you to set security parameters around network traffic? Some key security features to think about are next-generation firewalls and encryption, to prevent bad actors from intercepting and reading data exchanged on the network. Repeated testing is another offering to look for.

Software-Defined Wide Area Networks can position your telco offerings to be even more efficient. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Protecting Against Common Threats

Multiple threats endanger your website and hence your brand’s reputation. Phishing emails can carry malware, including the ability to distribute ransomware. Unprotected, your website could even become a hub for distributing ransomware to visitors’ devices. Another threat is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, wherein illegitimate traffic inundates your website and makes it unavailable. This can result in downtime, costly in terms of revenue and customer confidence. Your brand’s reputation is at risk if you can’t get up and running quickly.

Keeping Your Website Secure

So, what to do? There is plenty you can do to protect your brand and customer trust. First, keeping your website content manager, such as wordpress, up to date can minimize exploits from getting through in the first place. Also, make sure your website sends a message of trust by implementing SSL as an indicator that unauthorized changes occur on your website.  What’s more, putting your site behind a Web Application Firewall (WAF) can protect your site from unintended and malicious off shore bad actors who may try to take your site down by generating an overwhelming barrage of automated visits.

Should your website get compromised by bad actors, having a backup of your website helps you get up and running quickly and available to visitors. Conducting periodic security scans will also provide insights on your domain’s health.  Your brand’s reputation can only benefit from you being available and dependable in the face of challenges.

Protecting your brand also involves protecting customer trust and safeguarding sensitive data. For help protecting your brand and ensuring your company’s future, contact ClikCloud today. 

Getting Started with IT Budget Alignment

A LinkedIn article presents steps to follow in planning your IT budget. A good first step is understanding your overall business goals. What do you want to accomplish in the next year, and beyond? Broad goal categories include upgrading existing systems, reallocating spending to more critical areas, and investing in new technology. How will you use trends in technology–automation using artificial intelligence, for instance–to improve processes? Your company’s goals will be unique to you, and need to be prioritized according to what’s most vital.

Artificial intelligence offers great potential for increasing efficiency for your company. On the customer service front, it can automate processes like virtual chat, allowing conversational AI to handle routine questions and free up representatives for more complex tasks. Data analysis is streamlined and can efficiently provide insights. Network monitoring is improved, with automation allowing constant scans and identifying possible problems. Email messages are sorted, hence removing spam and forwarding the most important messages to the proper recipients. 

Assessing Your Current IT Spending

What is the state of your current technological ecosystem? Are you overspending on areas you don’t need to, and underspending in more important areas? What does each element of your technology contribute to business objectives? For example, you might need to move some systems and data to the cloud for greater flexibility and reduced costs. Do legacy systems you maintain still add value relative to what you spend? Answering these and other questions gives you a clear picture on where you need to focus technology dollars. 

The Role of Cybersecurity in Your Technology Budget

According to a LinkedIn article analyzing Forrester’s cybersecurity spending benchmarks, the average percentage of cybersecurity spending is only 5.7% of annual IT spend. Rather than being just a part of the IT department, spending on cybersecurity should be a decision made by the business as a whole. Ideally, spending on cybersecurity will be with a view toward proactive rather than reactive defense. Categories of spending include:

• Processes like audits and cybersecurity measures
• Technological tools including software purchases and network monitoring, and some outsourcing to third parties for businesses without an in-house IT team
• Employee cybersecurity training

Once you have a clear picture of what you want to change, prioritize according to business objectives, such as improving customer experience, enhancing operational efficiency, or even driving innovation. Perhaps you want to increase efficiency in operations, which could involve using AI for automation of certain processes. 

Next Steps to Take

Communicate with Stakeholders

After setting priorities, communicate with and engage your stakeholders. They likely will have valuable input that you may not have thought of. Department heads, executives and end users inside and outside the business can tell you if any current initiatives are not meeting needs.  End users can tell you how technology you’ve adopted makes their job easier and improves experience. Department heads and executives can inform you about what is working and what isn’t. Keeping lines of communication open lets everyone know you value input and will use this input to align the tech budget with their needs.

Tracking and Fine-Tuning Your Progress

To keep track of your progress in alignment of IT spend, establishing KPIs (key performance indicators) as benchmarks for how IT projects contribute to broad goals will help make these goals measurable. Examples of KPIs include how much a certain IT initiative contributes to growth in revenue or promotes greater operational efficiency. How might adopting AI help automate tasks translate to how many minutes are saved through automation

Alignment doesn’t end when an IT budget is drawn up. Rather, it’s a continuous reassessment–obtaining feedback, analyzing it, and acting on it. Having a plan and being able to follow it will help you navigate changes in business priorities, market conditions or technology advancements. Then you can be agile and change spending priorities to drive your business where you want it to go.

Any new technology adopted should aid your business strategy and goals. For further guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence has been enabling automation and enhancing creativity for several years, and is a powerful tool. It has potential for numerous industries and every sort of business within those industries. One trend, agentic AI, can help you with automation of processes, which may save costs and time, augmenting or even taking over human tasks when appropriate. Nevertheless, guardrails are needed to ensure that the virtual agents operate according to parameters set up by humans. Not only that, you will need to assess how to harness AI to help meet your business goals, and make sure that its use is in accordance with your goals.

Platforms for AI governance will be another trend in technology. These platforms can help companies create and enforce policies for responsible use as well as show users how the AI systems work. For example, how do the systems remain free from harmful bias? And how to avoid disinformation? And what about those “deep fakes” we keep hearing about? You can bet that if you are using AI, so are malicious actors. They can combine pictures and audio to make it seem as though a customer is saying something negative about your brand. Disinformation security is another emerging technology trend that will help assess risk and prevent harmful narratives about your company.

Other Trends Making Using of Artificial Intelligence

A few other trends make use of artificial intelligence. Ambient invisible intelligence can provide a subtle and seamless customer experience, by the integration of technology into the environment. A business benefit is knowing more about the customer’s purchasing journey and user experience, yet customers might feel surveilled. Consent policies need to be created, so that users can choose what they share, and transparency will be needed.

Hybrid computing is set to become more popular, and will provide different mechanisms for computing, storage and networking. While hybrid computing can help artificial intelligence perform beyond present boundaries, it poses challenges. Security risks are created by autonomous models, and the cost of such experimental technology is high. Once again, it is up to you to determine whether this and other trends will align with your business goals and benefit your company and its stakeholders. Setting up guardrails for use of these technologies will require thought, time and effort.

While technology moves forward, you will need to evaluate the trends coming up in the next few years, and how you will harness technological innovation while navigating its challenges. For further guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Your Website is Your Online Brand

Your company website is a vital part of your digital marketing efforts. In fact, it is your digital storefront, where customers go to learn about your goods or services. Visitors can reach you after hours. Data is transmitted twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. For the sake of your company’s brand reputation and your bottom line, this data needs to be available and secure. Even a brief outage leads to costly downtime. Costs may not end there, however. Unprotected, your website may be used to distribute ransomware causing your company to lose the trust of your customers. 

The Importance of Backing up Your Website’s Data

Your website is your online presence representing your business philosophy, company culture, and ultimately your brand. Guarding it from downtime and compromise is important for several reasons. One reason is maintaining the trust of your customers. If they are not confident your company is safeguarding your brand, you may lose their business and also revenue. Yet another reason is that a natural disaster can disrupt your business for days or weeks at a time. If your website data is backed up properly, your website can be available during and after the disaster to support customers and employees.

Backing up your website and its data is crucial for keeping your business going, maintaining customer trust and avoiding penalties for not complying with data protection regulations. For additional assistance with digital marketing efforts, contact ClikCloud today. 

Telecommunications and Why it Matters

In short, telecommunications means the exchange of information across long distances–via phone, email and videoconferencing. It incorporates the use of various devices–cell and landline phones, internet and email, for instance. With remote work being an established practice, your workers need to be able to communicate and collaborate, and help keep your operations humming.

Evaluate Your Telecommunications Expense

How do you know that you’re spending wisely on telecommunications? With the complexity of telecommunications (many companies have multiple carriers), money may be slipping through the cracks without your awareness. This is where a telco audit comes in. The audit is a process that surveys an organization’s telecom expenses, identifying areas of overspending or poor allocation. Expenses include local and long-distance telephone bills, wireless services, and Internet services–how do you know the charges are accurate? It may be time to bring in a qualified telco auditor with the needed expertise.

How a Telecom Expense Audit Can Help Your Company

A telecom audit can show where your company might be needlessly spending money. For example, with multiple carriers, different invoicing systems are involved, and your company might be incurring late fees. Small miscalculations can cause errors, including overbilling. An audit can uncover which services you might no longer need, via a close examination of invoices and payment records. Better understanding of your telco expenses leads to the creation of a proper budget, which helps your company’s bottom line. An audit can even help uncover anomalies that might indicate fraud. What’s more, the auditor can even contact carriers on your behalf, so you don’t have to spend time doing so.

Considerations for Hiring a Telecommunications Audit Provider

An ideal telecommunications audit company will take the work of examining telco spending off your IT department’s to-do list. The auditor should have a track record of expertise in analyzing telecommunications spending patterns so they know what to look for and how to interpret invoices and billing records. Free audit reviews and free quotes are indicators of a reliable company, and a good auditor will provide a portal for your company to track the audit’s progress and to access reports.

Your company’s telecommunication system is vital, and so is your bottom line. To find out more about an audit of your system, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Preparedness Starts with Awareness 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Starting in 2024 the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) theme is “Secure Your World.” Cybersecurity Awareness month is a time for understanding the threats that face all businesses, and perhaps especially small to medium-sized companies. The good news is, you can learn more about what threats affect your network, applications and data, and how to protect your business.

Protect Your Business from Common Threats 

Common threats include phishing as well as the ransome ware that can infect your network and steal your data. If your data isn’t stolen, it can be encrypted away from you via a ransomware attack. Security incidents can occur as a result of weak authentication of account access (weak passwords and lack of multi-factor authentication). Mishandled operating system updates can lead to not having the latest security updates and bug fixes. 

Phishing threats are growing in frequency and sophistication, and can come in through emails designed to trick recipients into giving up security credentials, which can then be used to gain access to a company’s network and data. Phishing attempts, along with variants like “smishing” (attacks via text messaging) and “vishing” (attacks by phone and voicemail) rely on fear and a sense of urgency to trick the recipient into action. Such attacks may include malicious links. Knowing how to recognize and deal with a possible phishing attack includes knowing how to report the email before deleting it, and knowing not to click links. If in doubt about the sender’s address, the recipient can point their mouse arrow at the URL to determine if the address is legitimate. 

Weak authentication can also put your company’s network at risk. Security incidents can occur when a password is guessed and the attacker penetrates the network. Examining your company’s password best practices and making sure workers know the practices, can help defend against intrusion. By creating strong passwords (e.g. twelve characters, with a variety of numbers, letters and special characters) individual workers can protect the company’s network. A password management system can help generate and store passwords, and only the password to that system needs to be remembered.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection. To verify identity, a one-time code or even biometric like fingerprint recognition can determine that the request to access your network is legitimate. Even if a bad actor guesses and uses a password, they can’t access the network. 

Keep Current on Operating System Updates

On the company level, updating operating systems and applications can help protect your network and data. Operating system updates often include bug fixes and updated security features. Managed updates keeps them happening on schedule and compatible with your network environment. 

With its “secure your world” theme, CISA’s cybersecurity awareness campaign can be a template for your company’s efforts to prepare for possible attack. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Starting with Strategy

How will you communicate your unique value proposition, whether it is steady client support, seamless content delivery, or something else? First of all, targeting your ideal customer is essential. Second, communicating your value proposition plainly to decision makers not versed in technical language is vital. What is your ideal customer seeking to do? Maybe keeping their network up to date, or finding a collaboration and communication platform for remote workers. Beyond this, whatever services or products you offer, how will you establish trust and partnerships with clients? 

Using Multiple Tools to Communicate Your Offerings

Once you have your ideal customer in your sights, what tools will be part of your strategy? Quality content should be the cornerstone of your efforts, content that will communicate your value and at the same time be engaging and interesting. Some channels include:

• Content marketing: Quality content that clearly communicates your services and addresses what clients are dealing with, can help position you as a thought leader in the industry. This can include blogs, whitepapers, and articles. Original and syndicated content can both be helpful. Be sure to include case studies and testimonials, showing how you’ve already served clients.

• Email marketing: Sharing a regular email newsletter with a list of carefully chosen recipients (quality over quantity) gets your brand in front of new and established clients. 

• Professional website: This involves building and maintaining a compelling website that tells your story. That includes the availability of information and  assets to facilitate the sales process. 

• Local listing: Allocating some of your marketing efforts toward managing your local listing to help promote your company’s visibility and generate leads, which you can then pursue with quality content about your unique offerings.

Building Trust with Partners

Building and maintaining trusting partnerships with customers is part of marketing your MSP or Telco services. Being available, reliable and protecting customer data all contribute to maintaining trust with clients. Email marketing, for example, generates data that needs to be protected. Part of building and maintaining trust is transparency with data handling as well as compliance with data regulations.

More than about simply getting leads, your marketing efforts can position you as a trusted thought leader and partner with clients. For further assistance, contact ClikCloud today. 

Common Risks For Businesses

Risk management professionals have their hands full! Natural disasters like floods or wildfires can damage, even destroy, security operations data centers, homes and businesses, and infrastructure like power lines. Even a winter storm can keep workers from accessing work systems, and break the connection between a technical problem and its solution. At the very least, natural disasters can result in costly downtime.  According to a CSO Online article, the number of climate change-related incidents with damage exceeding $1 billion dollars had occurred by October 2023. 

As if the consequences of natural disasters aren’t serious enough, bad actors are seeking access to business networks to steal data, infect the networks with malware, or both. These cybercriminals might also use a natural disaster to take advantage of a company’s vulnerability. Data breaches are also very much in the news. According to a 2021 cybersecurity threat trends report, phishing emails are responsible for roughly 90% of data breaches. These data breaches come from unsuspecting recipients giving up confidential information when they are tricked into doing so.  

Phishing schemes are becoming more sophisticated, too. Another threat is escalating cyberattacks using the same artificial intelligence tools your business might be using to automate processes and make work more efficient. If your company is using the tools, so are the bad actors. Cyber criminals can create more sophisticated phishing schemes, drafting emails lacking the usual spelling and grammatical errors in social engineering messages. Not only that, criminals can create videos (“deep fakes”) that mimic the voice and/or image of someone the recipient knows. 

How You Can Protect Your Business

It’s said that the question is not if your business is attacked, but when. You may know what your business is up against, but how do you protect yourself? You need a plan. A good place to start is taking inventory of technological assets, including data. Taking a risk management approach by assessing the most likely threats first helps prioritize your response. Partnering with a provider for Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and mobile device management can protect your network and its connected devices.

Tools for Protecting Your Network 

Two solutions for protecting your network include managed detection and response and mobile device management. Managed detection and response is a cybersecurity service that proactively protects organizations from cyber threats with a combination of technology and human expertise. The provider serves as a partner, taking on time-consuming tasks and using human expertise to hunt down and destroy threats. The end result is the preservation of your company’s reputation and brand. Mobile device management provides visibility across multiple devices and applications, protecting the devices with security features, in accordance with company policies.

Threats are escalating, including malware that takes advantage of unprotected devices as well as sophisticated phishing schemes involving artificial intelligence. For advice on shielding your company’s network, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Ransomware’s Prevalence and Danger

Ransomware, a type of malware that introduces malicious code that can encrypt your data and make it unusable for your company, is nothing new. Even with some progress by law-enforcement groups in taking down some of the infrastructure, it is still prevalent. It can cause data breaches, downtime from inaccessible data, and financial consequences from lost revenue. If your data is stolen or leaked, not only do you not have access to it, but it can damage your company’s reputation because customers no longer trust you to protect confidential information. According to a 2023 report by Verizon regarding data breaches, ransomware affected 66% of organizations; 24% of data breaches occurred as a result of ransomware infection. Aside from lost data, your network could also become a hub, spreading ransomware to others such as customers or vendors. 

How Ransomware Enters Networks and How to Keep it Out

Points of entry are various, though the primary source is social engineering (phishing) emails. Many attacks come by way of an email containing a link which, when clicked on, downloads malicious software. Malicious actors use urgent calls to action and appeals to fear to get unsuspecting users to give up confidential information. Not that phishing emails are the only way for ransomware to enter. Ransomware can also get in through attacks on vendors, workers using unsecured Wi-Fi, or even an application update.

How, then, can you protect against it? Like preventing any cyberattacks, the solution can include tools, policies and people. Tools like network monitoring and updated patches can help detect and block ransomware. Firewalls can also analyze activity between your network and other points and block ransomware. Policies can include having separate computers for business and personal use, as in the case of remote workers. Training workers to recognize a phishing email and report it, and refraining from clicking any links needs to be a regular practice. 

With technological innovation comes risk. To learn how to minimize your risk of being a ransomware victim, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Analytics and What They Can Tell You

Analytics data show how well your campaigns are working, what is working well, what practices can be retired, and can reveal insights for getting the best return on investment (ROI). Analytics help you understand how customers interact with and across all of your applications and sites, throughout the life cycle of the customer relationship. 

Customer Experience on Your Website

Looking at your campaign reports can tell you how well you’re meeting marketing goals. For example, knowing how many people visit your website and how long they spend there can show what content most engages visitors. And how many return to your website for subsequent sessions? An insight gained from this metric can tell you how to personalize content for even more engagement. Say you notice that people access your website on the go, on their mobile devices. Is your website optimized for mobile use? Improving user experience across devices might become a new goal to measure. A key metric is click-throughs, when a visitor clicks on an ad on your website. A conversion, when a visitor is won over to your brand, could mean a completed web form, or a completed purchase.

Email Campaigns

How are your email campaigns going? Perhaps there is room for improvement, like a slightly elevated bounce rate. Now might be the time to clean your email list, pruning out old email addresses. Are you getting new subscribers? That’s great, and could mean knowledge of your brand is expanding. 

Social Media

How are your social media campaigns going? How many likes, comments and shares are you getting? What content gets the most engagement? What platforms do users favor?

Gaining Insight from Data

Once you have the data, how do you know what it’s telling you? This is where an analytics tool is helpful. Some, like Google Analytics, use machine learning to derive insights from the vast data pool your marketing efforts can create. You might know which website pages your viewers are exiting, but do you know why visitors are exiting? For instance, you might need to improve the clarity of calls to action. Here are some other benefits of a tool like Google Analytics:

• Customer-focused measurement: it shows what engages customers, as well as identifying patterns, and tracking customer journeys from first visit to conversion. 

• Integration with other Google tools, like Google Ads and Google for Business, to turn insights into action that gets results.

• Intuitive, flexible reporting system, to quickly analyze your data, create reports to share, and collaborate with your team. The program collects, processes and reports data easily, so that you get the valuable insights that help you move forward.

Marketing efforts produce abundant data, and analytics tools can help you integrate it to generate insights on how you’re meeting your key performance indicators. For further assistance, contact ClikCloud today.

The Outage and its Impact

On July 19, 2024, a global technology outage resulted from a faulty software update from technology firm CrowdStrike upended operations across multiple industries. Flights were canceled and delayed, medical care interrupted, and businesses large and small were unable to operate. Large businesses will have a difficult time recovering, but what about small to medium-size businesses with less technical support? Smaller businesses dealt with missed deadlines, possible loss of customers and the inability to pay workers. What lessons can companies learn from what happened? 

How a Technology Advisor Helps

Although some incidents are out of a company’s control, they still need to be prepared for the consequences of technology problems. A technology advisor is an expert in their field who advises, guides and supports businesses needing help with technology-related decisions. These decisions can include strategic ones, such as how to implement automation and develop a framework for cybersecurity. Or the advisor can assist in planning and navigating software updates to smooth the rollout process. Training and support of workers to give them the knowledge and skills to effectively and safely use technology tools.  

The software update responsible for the outage was believed to have not undergone rigorous testing–including for compatibility with common software systems. Technology advisors can help a company develop a framework for rigorous testing of updates to prevent problems that can spread to stakeholders; this includes cybersecurity issues. 

What Your Company Can Do

Of course, a technology advisor doesn’t do all the work. A collaborative approach in your company, where the IT department works with other business units, contributes to the knowledge of all. For example, while some departments may be enthusiastic about automation of processes, another can provide needed caution–no technology is infallible.  A  technology advisor can help  the company plan an automation strategy. Not to mention, the advisor can remind the company of the need for human oversight of automation.

July’s global technology outage has shown us all how digital transformation can introduce risks. Small to medium-size businesses may need a technology advisor to help them with a plan to mitigate these risks. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Multiple Risks to Your Business

According to an article from CompTIA, risks come in various forms. Some are within a company’s control, and others come from outside. But all pose some threat to productivity, security or reputation–or all of these. Types of risk include:

• • Strategic: These have to do with deviations from a company’s strategy or model. Using automation, for example, can benefit operations, even facilitating software updates. However, problems can occur if human oversight isn’t part of the process. 
  • Competitive: negative consequences of a competitor’s actions, which can cause a loss of business for your organization. Even a competitor’s offering of a better product or service can negatively impact your business. 
  • Compliance: This involves failure to comply with government data security regulations, and can consist of data storage and even data breaches. 
  • Reputational: Events that can damage your image, and public perception of your brand. Perhaps a too-quick rollout of a product or service, a data breach, or a compromised website, can affect trust from customers and other stakeholders. 
  • Financial: This type of risk is anything that might cause loss of revenue. Loss of customers due to compromise of your company’s reputation, or downtime costs from even a brief system outage, can cause loss of earnings.
  • Operational: Anything that affects the operation of your business or other businesses that work with you. A faulty software update can have global consequences, as was seen recently. 
  • Global: Can include global conflict, supply chain disruption, or nation-state cyber attacks. 

Any or all of these have a potential impact on cybersecurity, though some are more likely. An outage can result in downtime (operational and financial risk), or a data breach (financial, compliance and reputational). Certain risks intersect, like financial, operational and reputational in the case of a data breach. Depending on how your company handles risk, your brand can weaken, or become stronger than ever.

How You Can Prepare

Assess and Document Your Biggest Risks

Prioritize risks most likely to affect your company’s operations, revenue or reputation. Your business may be more likely to be subject to risks of regulatory compliance failure than to global conflict. Any source of risk can impact your company, however unlikely it seems. 

Assemble a Strong Team

By including people from each department, your company gets different perspectives on what can happen and how it might affect your business. For instance, sales and marketing can point out risks posed by competitors. Your leadership personnel can watch for strategic risks. Anyone can be on the alert for social engineering (“phishing”) emails.

Prepare an Incident Response Plan

All the documentation and planning will go into an incident response plan. This plan comprises the most likely risks,  action plan for each, and the person or persons responsible for specific tasks. Such a plan will help you respond quickly and efficiently to possible disasters, or even keep a minor problem from becoming a major disaster. 

Risk management is becoming a more common stance in companies all over the world. To learn about evaluating risks and developing a response plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Role of Data in Customer Insight

Your business gathers vast amounts of quantitative and qualitative data from daily business activities, including information about your website’s effectiveness. Who’s clicking on which website pages, and what feedback are they giving? What’s your bounce rate, and how many conversions are you getting? How will you understand and interpret this data in order to improve customer experience? Customer (or consumer) insights come from understanding and interpreting customer feedback to reach conclusions about what your customers want and need. These conclusions can in turn drive actions that improve development of products and/or services as well as customer support. Using the data customers supply and interpreting it to improve service, shows customers that their voice is heard and acted upon. 

Gathering the data is easy; it happens as a matter of course. But how do you extract insights you can use? Technology can certainly help, with tools such as artificial intelligence and website analytics tools that can analyze data automatically and even offer suggestions. Quantitative and qualitative tools are useful, though customer trust in the ways your company uses their data is vital. 

Building Trust and Value with Data

An article from the Harvard Business Review spotlights privileged insights, derived from unique and relevant data from customers, data that only your company has access to. Data contributing to privileged insights include information about real needs and desires and their experience with your company. Website analytics, which can give information on bounce rates, unique and repeat visitors, and conversions, can also be part of this data.

Keeping Website Data Secure

Considering the wealth of data that analytics tools collect, personal customer data like addresses and even payment card details are part of that data. If your company is working with a third-party analytics provider, be sure to find out what their security posture is; a breach there could be devastating for your business. To keep your own website secure, you can use tools like secure socket layer (SSL) and Web application firewall (WAF). 

Using privileged insights requires not just collecting data, or using it for your own company’s benefit, but leveraging it in ways that build trust and value directly. Providing value can mean creating robust, positive customer experiences based on observations of customer behavior, and trust involves using the data in ways that foster trust and openness. This trust and openness can lead to stronger engagement with your company (brand), and hence more insights to help add value. 

How do you ensure that your use of data positively impacts customers? To start with, have clear principles and practices about what data you gather, its purpose, how long you keep it and who has access to it. Offering explicit and informed consent as well as opt-in (or opt-out) policies shows transparency in data handling. Making data anonymous for processing purposes, or aggregating it, will help avoid exposing confidential data. On the technology side, strong encryption of data and monitoring of security systems will help to protect customers’ data and will help customers know their data is protected.

By creating trust and adding value in the way you use customer data, you can keep customers coming back. For help with data and its use in marketing, contact ClikCloud today. 

Benefits of SASE for Hybrid Work

The cloud-native architecture of Secure Address Service Edge can combine the flexibility and scalability of cloud with the connectivity of Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN). Add to this centralized access policies based on user device identity. Data does not need to travel from one source to the data center, and back again–lessening the chances of it being lost or intercepted in transit. Access is verified at specific endpoints when a user logs in, and data can travel along SD-WAN pathways to these endpoints, once verification occurs. SASE can address the needs of hybrid offices for security and connectivity. 

Key components of SASE include:

• Secure Web Gateway: a cloud-based proxy that enforces standards for communication applications like Microsoft Teams, which are frequently used by hybrid offices. 

• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Cloud-based firewall that provides a standard security experience and eliminates the need for an on-premises firewall.

• Cloud-Access Security Broker: Extends rules and policies to software and infrastructure not owned by your company.

• Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Anytime a user or device (such as a remote worker’s laptop) requests access to the network, it is evaluated to ensure that it has a right to access the network, and access is granted–or denied, if suspicious. 

Considerations for Adopting Secure Access Service Edge

While SASE is an effective architecture combining SD-WAN’s connectivity with various security controls, it is not a substitute for cybersecurity policies. Hybrid offices, with some endpoints beyond the office’s perimeter, are still subject to social engineering attacks like phishing. Employees still need to know how to spot and report a phishing email and prevent malware from entering the network. Companies still need to assess the offerings of SASE and how it aligns with business goals (including hybrid work). Other technologies, like endpoint detection and response (EDR) and/or Managed Detection and Response (MDR) may need to be deployed alongside SASE. 

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) can help give your hybrid work environment the connectivity it needs, as well as support security policies. For more information on using the SASE architecture in your company, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Multiple Use Cases for Artificial Intelligence

With AI working behind the scenes to automate tasks, and the release of ChatGPT in the fall of 2022, new capabilities and use cases have opened up–content generation, development of artwork, and other creative applications are available. Microsoft also entered the picture by integrating Co Pilot with their popular office productivity suite in early 2023. Use cases are plentiful for C-level staff, operations, sales and marketing, human resources and more.

C-Level Executives: More business data is generated daily, and harnessing it can be overwhelming. Artificial intelligence can analyze data and distill insights from it in a way that mere human effort cannot match. Market trends, customer behavior, and financial metrics can all be derived from the vast amounts of data a business generates, as well as internet content. Moreover, they might get ideas for ways other departments can use AI.

Financial: Finance Departments can use AI for document search and synthesis, enabling them to understand contract information and regulatory filings. Artificial intelligence can also analyze and synthesize transactional data, identifying anomalies that might indicate possible fraud. Automated bots can perform mundane data entry and reconciliation tasks. Financial analysts realize productivity gains by using AI to set up complex spreadsheets for financial analysis.

Human Resources: AI can help streamline recruiting to help your company search out the ideal candidate, simplify documentation for on-boarding, and gather employee feedback to improve their experience. Big data from large language models (LLMs) can help your human resources department make informed decisions and also streamline benefits and compensation. AI is also ideal for creating job descriptions.

Operations: Drawing up meeting agendas and synthesizing insights from meeting notes; automatically inviting attendees, summing up information for attendees arriving later; preparing timelines for rollouts of new products.

Sales/Marketing: AI can be used to prepare for an upcoming meeting by summarizing emails and researching customer information from internal systems.  AI can also help with generating proposals, creating powerpoints and more.

Customer Service: AI can help customer service representatives quickly pull up customer data; summarize interactions, prompt for next best answers and empower live chat to enhance customer experience.

With all of these benefits, be sure to use AI responsibly and securely in your organization.  Ensure you have an acceptable use policy and train your employees properly. In addition, identify and tag sensitive information to avoid unnecessary data leaks.

For all departments, tools like CoPilot can help generate and augment content, allow the writer to try different styles and ask questions for more information. Artificial intelligence can be a game changer for your business; to learn more, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

What is a SSL (Secure Socket Layer)?  

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a protocol for encryption of information passing between a visitor’s device and a website server. Websites with a Secure Socket Layer certificate will show the padlock icon along with “https” in the URL, signs that the website is secure. And what does this mean? The website is using Transport Layer Security, a common protocol that facilitates privacy and data security for communication on the Internet. When a user visits a website with an SSL (synonymous with TLS), a “handshake” occurs that signals initiation of a TLS connection. Significant information is exchanged at this point, including which version of TLS is used, among other items. The authentication proves the server’s ID to the client, showing they are on a secure website that protects personally identifiable information. 

What The SSL Means for You

The Secure Socket Layer certificate essentially shows your website is secure, which can ease the mind of the user and therefore enhance the user experience. Visitors can trust you will keep their data secure, data like payment card information and other details. And having the SSL certificate benefits you as well since websites with https rank higher in searches than websites without the certificate. Another very practical benefit is that your website domain will be difficult for bad actors to hijack and use as a malware distribution hub. This is a danger especially for newly established websites.

Getting a Secure Socket Layer improves both the actual and perceived security of your website, and promotes a safe, positive user experience. For assistance with configuring  SSL, contact ClikCloud today. 

The Need for Managed Detection and Response

Leading global technology market analysts, Canalys, shared in a LinkedIn post, ransomware attacks are increasing each year. Between the first four months in 2023, and the same period in 2024, publicly disclosed attacks increased by 96%. Between 2022 and 2023, the attacks increased by 68%. These attacks are just the ones that are publicly disclosed ones. What about attacks on small to medium-sized businesses and not been reported? And what can smaller businesses do if they don’t have the time and resources to constantly be monitoring their networks? 

What is MDR and How Does it Work?

Enter Managed Detection and Response, or MDR. This option “relies on an external third-party to monitor a company’s IT systems and respond to threats in real time.” Unlike traditional cybersecurity deployments, it is fully managed and delivered by an external provider. MDR is also sometimes called “cybersecurity as a service.” Cybersecurity can be challenging for SMBs especially, as it can require time and effort on the part of the company and even then not all threats can be dealt with. But with the 24/7 monitoring provided by MDR, companies can focus on meeting business goals. 

Managed Detection and Response combines cybersecurity software, threat intelligence and human (or machine learning powered) intelligence to detect threats to the network, including unpatched software and operating systems, weak passwords, and susceptibility to social engineering (“phishing”) attacks, among others. Not only does MDR quickly analyze suspicious activity, assessing its severity and potential impact, but isolates and neutralizes any threat. Any intelligence gathered about threats will be accessible to machine learning to improve future detection.

Further Benefits of Managed Detection and Response

Beyond the detection and response capabilities, MDR can help in other ways. By using an external third party, you don’t need to have specialized staff on site. Therefore, you can focus on activities that bring revenue and advance business goals. What’s more, MDR services can work with your existing security solutions, enhancing their reach and effectiveness. For instance, you can combine MDR with an endpoint security solution like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) for even stronger detection and response.

The cloud-based managed detection and response is a way to monitor your network and mitigate threats, preventing costly cyberattacks. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

What a Disaster Recovery Plan is and Why You Need One 

Having a plan does seem obvious, doesn’t it? Yet many companies may not have one in place. A definition of a DRP is a structured document describing how your company can resolve data loss and get back to functionality during and after a disaster. Even a brief power outage that may seem like just an inconvenience can strongly impact your business. Downtime can be costly to your bottom line and to your reputation. 

Advantages of Having a Plan

A key benefit is knowing what to do when a disaster happens, and swinging into action immediately. What’s more, a plan will give you confidence, and give others like workers and customers confidence in you. Customers will know that you’re keeping their data safe from loss or compromise, because you’ve backed up that data. You’ll know how much to budget for recovery from disaster, and which systems need to be back up and running. 

Getting Started: Planning and Documentation

A conversation gets the ball rolling. Discussing what might happen in the event of a disaster, and what mission-critical systems need to resume first. What will happen first, and who will be responsible for making that happen? Who are your stakeholders, and what do they need from you? What data most needs to be protected, and how will it be safeguarded? What information will you provide, and what will be the messaging? The answers to these and other questions will give you the structure for your planning and documentation. 

Besides answering the above questions, your documented plan should include both recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO) – two key metrics for preparedness. Recovery Time Objective refers to how much time can pass to get your systems back up and running, whereas the recovery point objective refers to the age of files to retrieve from backup storage. 

Working the Plan: Testing and Refining

Testing, done frequently and with practical exercises, will show how well your plan works, and also show “what you don’t know that you don’t know.” Going through scenarios and table-top exercises will point up unknown vulnerabilities, show what needs updating, and show whether key players know what to do. Information technology workers in particular will know about data protection strategy, and are vital to your efforts. Having tested your plan, you will know what changes are needed. Once the changes are made, testing can resume. 

Disaster recovery planning may seem overwhelming. Taken step by step, though, it is possible and your business can be on a sure footing. For more assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

What ADA Compliance Means

Is your website easily usable for all who visit, including those with disabilities? These can include sensory (hearing and vision), cognitive, learning and even neurological. While the ADA was passed into law well before today’s Internet, it can be interpreted to include online interactions. According to the Department of Justice as quoted on the ADA website, “The Department [of Justice] has consistently taken the position that the ADA’s requirements apply to all the goods, services, privileges or activities offered by public accommodations, including those offered by the web.”  Beyond being a key part of proper user engagement practices, accessibility has become a practical necessity. Title III of the ADA requires businesses to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities. The Department [of Justice] has consistently taken the position that the requirements apply to all the goods, services, privileges or activities offered by public accommodations, including those offered by the web.” 

Practical Ways to Implement Accessibility and Security

So, what does this mean for your website? Some accessibility requirements include providing text enlargement and color contrast, for those with low vision. Videos need to have captioning and photos to have alternate text, to help facilitate understanding–and engagement. From a security standpoint, text fields that are clearly labeled even when the screen is enlarged, help keep users from accidentally entering confidential information in the wrong field. Plain language for privacy policies and terms of use can assist those with different learning disabilities or impairments, according to the GAAD website. Does talkback for multi-factor authentication (MFA) say which letters are in upper or lower case? If so, then someone logging in can do so before the code expires, making accessing your website go smoothly.

Bottom line, compliance with accessibility requirements means a positive user experience for those with disabilities and helps your company avoid penalties for non-compliance. For help with making your website accessible, contact ClikCloud today. 

A Brief History of Passwords

Even with biometric methods of identification, and single sign-on technology, passwords are still relevant as the most common way to secure personal and business accounts. Passwords were first developed in the 1960s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to guard accounts against unauthorized access. Incidentally, the first password breach occurred there, too.  More recently, a survey of 2400 respondents in the U.S. and other countries revealed some sobering statistics about password practices.

Common Password Practices

Using the same password for multiple accounts was a common practice, with 84% of respondents admitting to using the same password for multiple accounts. If a hacker can steal the password to just one account, they can easily gain access to others.

54% of respondents relied on memory for passwords, and because of this the passwords can be too short and weak.

36% incorporated personal information (family names or birthdays, for example) in passwords to make remembering easier. 

33% used only a password, rather than two- or multi-factor authentication, to access their accounts. 

Moreover, even when changing passwords, users didn’t change them sufficiently. Instead, they only changed a few characters, with the idea of keeping them easy to remember.  All of these practices can facilitate the theft of passwords by social engineering (email “phishing” or text-message “SMiShing”) attacks, or even brute force attacks. How can thinking on passwords be changed?

Best Practices for Password Management

First, the article suggests thinking not in terms of passwords but passphrases, multi-character combinations of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols, that are more difficult to guess. Also, the article suggests using password management systems where the list of passphrases is itself protected by a passphrase of at least fourteen characters. Companies can develop clear, enforceable policies for password management, which might then influence how workers handle passwords outside of work, too. 

Passwords are still necessary to secure business and personal accounts, and thus need to be unique and strong. For help developing your company’s password policy, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

A number of cybersecurity issues are challenging for smaller businesses, according to a CompTIA article. First, just getting started with a cybersecurity plan can seem like a huge task. And what does cybersecurity mean for your business? What mission-critical data and applications need protection? Once your company has decided on your goals, how will you reach them? 

Another issue is spending. Often, a small organization’s cybersecurity budget is tight, and the business cannot spend very much on an IT team, or the training to upskill current workers. How much will a third-party solution cost? These and other costs can seem daunting. 

Knowledge and understanding of the threat landscape is another challenge. Small or medium-size businesses might think that, being small, they are “under the radar” of cybercriminals. However, they are likely to be the victims of a cyberattack. According to the FBI, small businesses comprised the majority of victims in 2021. Even if the bad actors don’t specifically target a small company, they may use the small company to target larger businesses. Often, the criminals are looking to steal data – credit card and bank account information, customer data, even proprietary business information–from anyone they can. 

One of the challenges is complacency; small companies may think they don’t need to learn new skills. On the contrary, they need to adapt to an ever-changing threat landscape. Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, with  attackers banding together. Previously, hackers may have worked on their own, trying to execute brute force attacks or use bots to take down a website with a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.   

Cybersecurity Help for Small Businesses

So, what’s the solution? The good news is, though cybercriminals are banding together, small to medium-sized companies can do the same. Technology service providers  can help small businesses access threat intelligence and learn from organizations that have been attacked and have recovered. And with help from the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and its various resources, businesses can get information and start acting on that information to develop their cybersecurity plan. What’s more, a company might seek out third-party partners that can help supply the IT talent to improve their cybersecurity posture.

Cybersecurity, especially for smaller businesses, can seem like a huge challenge. However, help is out there. To learn more about developing a security plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Why Prioritize Website Security and Compliance?

There are several compelling reasons to prioritize website security and compliance:

• Avoid Attacks: A secure website is less vulnerable to malicious attacks like DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) assaults, which can cripple your site’s functionality. Additionally, strong security helps prevent malware compromise, which could turn your website into a platform for distributing harmful software to unsuspecting visitors.
• Meet Regulatory Requirements: Depending on your industry and the type of data you collect, you might be subject to specific data privacy regulations. Compliance ensures you meet these requirements and avoid hefty fines.
• Protect Your Brand: A website breach can severely damage your brand reputation. Hackers who gain access to your site could steal sensitive user information or inject malicious content, leading to a loss of trust from your customers.
• Maintain User Trust: Users are increasingly wary of websites that don’t prioritize security. By taking steps to safeguard their data, you build user trust and loyalty.

Top Considerations for Website Security and Compliance:

1. ADA Compliance: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to websites in many cases. Ensuring your website is accessible to users with disabilities, such as those with visual impairments or hearing difficulties, is crucial for compliance.
2. Content Management System (CMS) Patching and Updates: Most websites are built using a CMS like WordPress. Regularly updating your CMS and any plugins ensures you have the latest security patches and bug fixes, closing potential vulnerabilities.
3. Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF acts as a security barrier, filtering incoming traffic and blocking malicious attacks before they reach your website. Consider using a WAF service like CloudFlare WAF to add an extra layer of protection.
4. SSL Certificates: SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates encrypt communication between your website and users’ browsers. This ensures sensitive data like credit card information remains secure during transmission. Look for reputable SSL certificate providers to obtain a valid certificate for your website.
5. Regular Security Audits: Don’t wait for a breach to find weaknesses in your website’s security. Conduct regular security audits to identify and address any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
6. Strong Passwords & Access Control: Implement strong password policies for all user accounts and limit access to sensitive information based on user roles. Regularly review and revoke access as needed.
7. Backups: Having regular backups of your website’s data is crucial. In case of an attack, backups allow you to restore your website quickly and minimize downtime.
8. User Education: Empower your users by educating them on online safety best practices, like creating strong passwords and avoiding suspicious links.

By prioritizing website security and compliance, you create a safe and trustworthy online environment for your users, protect your brand reputation, and avoid legal trouble. Remember, website security is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Regularly review your security measures, stay updated on the latest threats, and adapt your approach accordingly.

Growth in Popularity of AI 

The popularity in and market for artificial intelligence only continues to grow. According to a CompTIA article on AI statistics, the global market is expected to grow to $407 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 36.2%. The U.S. market is expected to surpass that, increasing to $594 billion by 2032, growing 19% year over year from 2023 on. 

Businesses are at varying states of the adoption/implementation journey. According to the CompTIA report, 22% of firms are “aggressively” implementing artificial intelligence. Another third of firms are implementing AI in a more limited way, and the majority of firms (45%) are still exploring implementation. Even with its popularity, some hesitation exists because of challenges—including the cost of upgrading applications, building out infrastructure, along with the need to fully understand the data that goes into properly training artificial intelligence. 

Formulate a Strategy for AI Implementation

As with other popular technology, your business needs to consider its goals and how artificial intelligence can help you reach them. Examples of such goals include automation and refinement of routine tasks; enhancement of the customer experience via personalization; analysis of data; and content creation.

You’ll also need to consider how to mitigate risks associated with artificial intelligence. Start with security to ensure your staff is trained to follow policy and your proprietary and sensitive data is protected. How will your company deal with hesitation on the part of workers to embrace AI, because of fear of it automating their jobs? What about the quality of data used to train AI’s large language models, data which may include bias? Also to consider is protecting privacy and complying with regulations. The financial cost can include updating applications and building needed infrastructure. These are just a few questions to consider when developing your strategy.

Artificial intelligence has shown itself to bring potential benefits to businesses across many industries. For help in developing or refining your strategy, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

What SD-WAN and Why it Matters

With remote and hybrid work more common, and teams using popular platforms, seamless Internet connectivity, stability and reliability are essential. Software-defined wide area networking, or SD-WAN, is a cloud-based approach to WAN management that brings together multiple providers to offer the connectivity needed. The infrastructure is in the cloud, eliminating the need for customers to manage and maintain their own. All they need is an internet connection and an appliance at each connection point (remote office). Additional appliances can be added as needed.  SD-WAN uses multiple transports including business-class broadband and networking as well as MPLS already used in WANs, to route traffic effectively for a hybrid workforce. 

Software-Defined Wide Area Network offers numerous benefits. First, it reduces capital expense by eliminating the need for companies to maintain on-premise infrastructure. Operational expense is decreased by reducing the need for IT professionals to make trips out to fix problems. Instead, monitoring and troubleshooting is centralized. Like the cloud in general. SD-WAN is scalable, with devices easily added to the network. And by using multiple providers, data is moved reliably to where it’s needed as a result of increased bandwidth.

Security Considerations in SD-WAN

Readers might be wondering about security.  How can so much data in transit be protected? At first thought, security might be a problem with data being routed to multiple locations. Only by ensuring that the security is fully integrated and traffic is transparent can SD-WAN enhance security, instead of being yet another attack vector.

Software-defined wide area networks use the cloud to enhance the communication and collaboration the hybrid office environment requires. For guidance in your company’s SD-WAN decisions, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Benefits of a Healthy Email Address List

Keeping your email list healthy and up-to-date helps you reach business goals and stay compliant with regulations. Periodically going through your list of recipients of email newsletters to remove outdated and even defunct addresses can help you retain the subscribers that still desire your content. Remember that, when it comes to your email list, quality is more important than quantity. The best contacts are ones that you know personally, that you make at networking events and in the course of doing business. Purchased lists are best avoided. Sharing content with a smaller list of recipients can help you reap a better return of your digital marketing investment, since you’re sharing your content with engaged customers.

Maintaining a strong email list can help keep your business in compliance with data-protection regulations, too. Making sure all subscribers have “opted in” to receiving your newsletter can not only increase your open rates but lend transparency because you are sending the newsletter with the recipient’s consent. Protecting customers’ data helps you avoid non-compliance fines and maintains trust. Finally, the chance of your email landing in “spam” folders is decreased. 

Some Best Practices for Email List Maintenance

How do you know which email addresses to remove from your list? First of all, recipients who have shown disengagement (by not clicking links in the email or not opening the message at all), need to be removed so you can concentrate on those still engaged. Second, some addresses may be invalid, if the recipient is no longer at the address or the email server is defunct. Addresses that have “bounced” or been returned as undeliverable, are also to be culled out. 

How often do you need to clean your email list? Any time is good to audit your list, and remove email addresses that are out of date or invalid, or belong to those who have unsubscribed. After an initial cleaning, removing expired addresses should be ongoing. 

Maintaining a strong, healthy email list is a top priority if you want to keep reaching new leads and future customers, and satisfying current customers. For help with your email list, contact ClikCloud today.

Benefits of a Healthy Email Address List

Keeping your email list healthy and up-to-date helps you reach business goals and stay compliant with regulations. Periodically going through your list of recipients of email newsletters to remove outdated and even defunct addresses can help you retain the subscribers that still desire your content. Remember that, when it comes to your email list, quality is more important than quantity. The best contacts are ones that you know personally, that you make at networking events and in the course of doing business. Purchased lists are best avoided. Sharing content with a smaller list of recipients can help you reap a better return of your digital marketing investment, since you’re sharing your content with engaged customers.

Maintaining a strong email list can help keep your business in compliance with data-protection regulations, too. Making sure all subscribers have “opted in” to receiving your newsletter can not only increase your open rates but lend transparency because you are sending the newsletter with the recipient’s consent. Protecting customers’ data helps you avoid non-compliance fines and maintains trust. Finally, the chance of your email landing in “spam” folders is decreased. 

Some Best Practices for Email List Maintenance

How do you know which email addresses to remove from your list? First of all, recipients who have shown disengagement (by not clicking links in the email or not opening the message at all), need to be removed so you can concentrate on those still engaged. Second, some addresses may be invalid, if the recipient is no longer at the address or the email server is defunct. Addresses that have “bounced” or been returned as undeliverable, are also to be culled out. 

How often do you need to clean your email list? Any time is good to audit your list, and remove email addresses that are out of date or invalid, or belong to those who have unsubscribed. After an initial cleaning, removing expired addresses should be ongoing. 

Maintaining a strong, healthy email list is a top priority if you want to keep reaching new leads and future customers, and satisfying current customers. For help with your email list, contact ClikCloud today.

A Brief History of the Cloud

CompTIA gives a brief history of the development of the cloud in an article about cloud trends. The first vision of the cloud, in the 1960s, was put forth by MIT Professor John McCarthy. Cloud computing would offer computing as a public utility, each subscriber paying only for what they use. In the next ten years, machines were linked to a host machine. Internet protocol had proved itself late in the 1970s, and by the 1980s, many more computers were connected to the Internet. By the 1990s, mobile devices became part of the landscape, and were able to access the Internet remotely. The code that helped Amazon to provide its online marketplace led to developing the model cloud. Cloud continued progressing to the point of “powering business operations in some form for nearly every organization.” 

The Present State of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is currently experiencing widespread demand, and focusing on efficiency. Edge computing, which may have a major role in the future, is currently decreasing latency (the time it takes for data to travel from its point of energy to its destination, and back again). Organizations can expand their capabilities and retain functionality across locations; this could be vital for Unified Communications. The “anything as a service” (XaaS) model provides multiple services that businesses need to make processes efficient. Desktop as a Service is part of this, providing a virtual desktop that users can access via the Internet. The back-end infrastructure and software are handled by the cloud provider. With remote work still popular, DaaS is still in demand. Artificial intelligence is still part of the picture, automating processes and increasing personalization. Deploying multiple cloud environments, either through multi-cloud or hybrid-cloud can help keep systems running when user demand is high; a backup cloud can take on workloads from other clouds that become overwhelmed. 

Future Trends in Cloud Computing

Efficiency will continue to be a desired goal in the future. Cloud automation’s role is to eliminate the need for humans to complete rote tasks, allowing systems to run more efficiently. Automation will also help businesses tie together cloud technologies to enhance efficiency. Edge computing will cut down on the use of data centers; instead, data will be handled on peripheral devices. Cloud computing, with its vast data stores, will give quantum computing the power it needs to operate. The cloud will also support artificial intelligence (AI) giving it the vast stores of data it needs for its models. In turn, AI will help with automation of cloud services. 

Exciting developments are in the future, though they can be overwhelming. To learn how to capitalize on upcoming trends, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Growth of Business Communications

Remote work has happened for years (the term “telecommuting” was coined more than 50 years ago), and tools for connection and collaboration have grown in sophistication. In the past, telephones have operated independently of the Internet, and other tools like email and conferencing have been separate. The market for Unified Communications has grown in the last few years, and is expected to grow to about $50 billion globally by 2025. Little wonder, considering the business benefits it brings.

Benefits of Integrated Telecommunications

Integration of modes of telecommunication like Voice Over IP (VoIP) telephony, customer relations management software, and web conferencing can improve communication and collaboration while saving your company money. With Unified Communications, a package of communication tools in the cloud is available with an internet connection. The cloud service provider handles the infrastructure, freeing businesses from the capital expense of purchase and maintenance of hardware. With more workers having the capacity to work remotely, businesses can cut spending on office space (though depending on its needs, a company may choose a hybrid workplace). Ability to connect with new clients virtually can even help you break into new markets near and far. 

Enhancement of Customer Experience

WIth integration of multiple modes of communication, in-office and remote workers can easily interact with each other, to facilitate a hybrid workforce. Customer relations management software brings up customer information quickly to allow the rep to quickly and accurately handle the call, building customer loyalty. Routing voice mail messages to email means no calls are missed. Videoconferencing can help workers collaborate on projects and share files to complete important work quickly.

Considerations for Unified Communications

If your company is still in the process of adopting UC, a network audit to find bottlenecks or weak spots is helpful in determining your network’s readiness. With vast amounts of data transmitted, your network needs to have enough bandwidth to handle the traffic. On top of that, data needs to remain safe from loss or compromise. 

Unified Communications is a powerful tool for companies with remote workers or a hybrid work environment. For assistance with your telecommunications strategy, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Live web chat, added to your website, offers a win-win solution for serving customers–you get more leads, and visitors enjoy interacting with your website.  Read on to learn how it can build your brand, increase your profits and enhance customer experience.

Benefits of Having Live Chat on Your Website

Chat has been a feature of many websites for some years, used by sales, marketing and customer service representatives to interact with customers.  Whether live or powered by chatbots, it can help garner more leads, and build trust with current customers. For one thing, it can allow your business to answer inquiries even outside business hours, enhancing your perceived and actual availability. 

Website Chat can be Better than a Phone Call

At times, it can be more efficient than a phone call–no need for the customer to navigate phone menus or spend time on hold. Done right, live chat can enhance the visitor’s experience, making them feel cared for before they even ask a question or share their issue. It might even lead them to become a loyal customer, and tell others about your website so that your business gets more leads

Considerations for Website Chat

First of all, in considering live chat, what are your business objectives? Are you looking to build a brand, bring in more leads, and further delight present customers? Will it help you meet key performance benchmarks for metrics like low wait times or fast response? At times, an automated chat interaction may progress to conversation with a representative, showing that the human touch is still needed. Training in best practices might be needed when getting started with live chat.

Live chat on your website has the potential to boost your company’s success. For more assistance, contact ClikCloud today.

A Brief Summary of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is an enabling technology made possible by machine learning. Machine learning is the process of teaching machines how to react to different data types, based on probabilities. Large language models (LLMs) are trained on huge amounts of data, which makes them able to understand and generate language and other types of content, performing a wide variety of tasks. The data is fed into these models from humans, and this plays a role in the quality of data.

Business Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Because it is trained on vast amounts of data, AI has the power to automate repeated processes, freeing up time for humans and labor cost for your company. Employees can focus on other tasks while AI works in the background. It has potential to be embedded in customer relationship management software, and to find information about customers based on past interaction. That way, customer service representatives can have the information at their fingertips and serve customers even more quickly. Even outside business hours, your company can continue to serve customers with chatbots that mimic human-to-human interaction. Data analysis is more rapid, and this has implications for cybersecurity. Trained on data from network traffic, AI can quickly detect suspicious activity and help avert a cyber attack. The technology could even provide information that leads to new markets and revenue streams.

Considerations for Using AI in Your Business

Artificial intelligence is an amazing powerhouse, no doubt about it. However, a business needs to decide how the technology will help reach business goals. If you are a small business looking for quicker data analysis to enhance cybersecurity, for example, AI-enabled technology is a good choice. For communications with customers and within the office, AI can help generate and summarize content–once again saving time.

Since AI’s results are only as good as the data training the algorithms, care needs to be taken to evaluate the content, making sure it’s as bias-free and accurate as possible. Moreover, it shouldn’t contain any personally identifiable information, data which can be traced to an individual. Compliance and regulatory issues may come into play, too. Your company may need to overcome resistance from some workers who might fear losing their jobs to artificial intelligence. You will likely need to take time to educate and train workers to see AI as a valuable tool and to use it to best advantage.

Artificial intelligence has many money- and time-saving ways to help your business. For more information, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Environments Rising in Popularity

Hybrid Cloud environments, wherein some of an organization’s computing resources are in a private cloud and others in a public cloud environment, seem to offer the best of both worlds. Hybrid clouds offer the cost-effectiveness of public cloud, while preserving data privacy by keeping some infrastructure on-premise. The latter can benefit businesses in industries that must comply with data protection regulations. It will be vital for businesses using hybrid cloud to know where business data resides–not to mention your cloud service provider’s regulatory compliance policies. 

With multi-cloud architecture, numerous providers are used, and this provides flexible solutions and benefits to fit your business. What your company needs to consider, though, is that additional configuration may be required for the different services to communicate with each other, and how this can impact the experience for end users. 

Artificial Intelligence in the Cloud

Another trend is the connection between cloud computing and artificial intelligence. What the two have in common is automation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) with its large reservoir of data can help automate and streamline mundane processes and free up time to work on the company’s strategic goals. Artificial intelligence, an enabling technology, can analyze data and provide insights that can lead to even more precise strategy. Cloud and AI can work together to enhance customer experience. Software as a Service (SaaS) will integrate with AI more and more in the coming years. 

Security and Compliance Continue in Importance

As always, with the advance of technology, security of data and systems and compliance with data protection regulations will always be vital. In the realm of Software as a Service (SaaS), cloud providers will focus on enhancements of security features. Since businesses and entire industries will increasingly need to comply with data-protection regulations. Business owners may want to meet with their providers and learn how these enhancements will aid compliance for the organization.

The cloud will continue to be integrated with technology like artificial intelligence. To learn more about cloud trends, contact your trusted technology provider. 

How Artificial Intelligence Impacts Digital Marketing

According to a Gartner report, GenAI is changing digital marketing, and will continue to in the next few years.  While artificial intelligence, like other technologies, can aid content creation, its use will change how companies market their brands. In spite of the enthusiasm about GenAI, it’s found by Gartner that 70% of customers expect it to negatively impact social media, one of the very channels digital marketers use. This means that companies need to make sure to vet the information that GenAI uses, checking to make sure it’s accurate and unbiased as possible. The tool does have the capacity to achieve highly personalized messages for different segments of customers, and AI chatbots can help answer inquiries in a way that echoes human speech.

How Generative AI Influences Customer Behavior

Until the last few years, customers looked up a business on a search engine, or searched for a social media page. Gartner expects heavier reliance on voice search powered by GenAI, with brands standing to see their organic traffic decrease by at least 50% by 2028, as customers embrace GenAI-enabled searches. Marketers will need to change their focus to conversion-oriented keywords, for example, to maintain their standing in search results.

Not all consumers will embrace GenAI-based searching. They may not trust the results they get, or believe these results are unbiased. Some consumers will seek out brands that differentiate themselves by refraining from using Generative AI. By 2027, 20% of brands may lean into not using AI-powered searches, but focusing on creating their own content.

Best Practices for Using GenAI-Generated Content

There is a middle road, of use tempered with caution, that doesn’t reject GenAI’s use but doesn’t embrace it without consideration. GenAI-generated content will continue to be popular. WIth that popularity comes the need for guardrails in the form of best practices for using this technology. Marketing professionals can use AI to find new ideas. They need to build on the content they find with AI, and still use their own ideas and write original content. Ethical use of images and content still applies.  When using GenAI content, they might have a notice on website content that is developed with the help of Generative AI. Gartner predicts that marketing executives will adopt measures like content-verifying technology, or turn to content generated by users (as long as it reflects the brand). They can even create gated content, which users access by giving information like their email address.

While Generative AI is potentially helpful to digital marketing efforts, its use needs careful governing and forethought. For more guidance on using GenAI responsibly, contact ClikCloud today. 

The Role of Passwords in Safeguarding PII

Personally identifiable information (PII) is defined as data that can be linked with or traced to an individual. Such PII includes names, date of birth, address, Social Security numbers and other specific information about a person. Some of it is n-sensitive, part of public records or easily found online. Sensitive PII can include biometrics (used as part of multi-factor authentication, employment and financial records, and bank account credentials. Every business owner handles a great deal of personally identifiable information in the course of doing business. How can they protect it?

Passwords authenticate a user’s access to websites (including company websites) that hold personally identifiable, often sensitive, data on employees, customers and more. Employees properly trained in password management can be helpful in safeguarding a company’s data. One key practice, along with developing strong passwords, is refraining from sharing these passwords with others. 

Keeping Passwords Private Benefits Your Business

The reasons for keeping passwords secret may seem obvious–no one else can get into your accounts, or change your data, or leave it in danger of falling into the wrong hands. If your workers keep their passwords secret, they prevent sensitive information from being leaked to those who can misuse it. Individual workers (and your business as a whole) avoid penalties associated with regulatory non-compliance. By keeping passwords confidential, they avoid being held responsible for misuse. What’s more, with a strong password, they can always access the resources they need to succeed in their work. Even companies with strong controls and policies need to train their workers in password maintenance, making the practices part of the organization’s culture.

While passwords may or may not fall under the category of personally identifiable information, they definitely serve to protect it. For help in developing your company’s password policy, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Cybersecurity and Cyber-Resilience

The two concepts sound similar, but the difference between cybersecurity and cyber-resilience is the focus. Cybersecurity refers to protecting systems, networks and data from cyberattack, whereas cyber-resilience is about an organization’s ability to withstand and recover from an attack while and after it happens. Both are important, and both contribute to business resiliency. An attack happens about every 39 seconds, according to some sources. Common types include malware attacks, ransomware, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), and these attacks can steal data or access to it, or even stall your system. And the effect on your business is potentially devastating; even a short power outage can result in costly downtime. How will your organization not just prevent these hazards, but deal with and recover from them, and stay running and resilient?

Benefits of Cyber-Resilience

The threat landscape continues to expand, with more attacks and the attacks becoming more sophisticated. Considering the rate of cyberattacks already occurring, the probability of one striking any one organization is high. Protecting yourself, as well as having a plan to respond to an attack when it happens, benefits your company in numerous ways. For one, you can continue operating during the disaster and avoid lost revenue. Second, the ability to protect customers’ personally identifiable information increases their trust in your organization. Third, you avoid fines for failure to comply with data-protection regulations. Finally, your business can even achieve a competitive advantage in staying open when others have to close.

Elements of a Cyber-Resilience Strategy

According to a CompTIA article, a strategy will prepare you to respond to attacks and mitigate their damage. A cyber-resilience strategy starts with assessment and prevention, a deep knowledge of your technological assets, and any possibility of gaps that attackers can exploit. Actively implementing preventive measures can help you look out for threats before they become problems. Plans for response and recovery position your company to respond quickly and mitigate damage. Adaptation and flexibility involves knowing that each attack is different and being able to respond at the moment. Finally, education and ongoing training can acquaint workers with possible threats and how to respond. Practice through attack simulations is very helpful as part of training.

Cybersecurity, of course, is still important. Cyber-resilience goes beyond that, to recovering from an attack and keeping the business running. For help with your strategy, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Growth of Managed Services

There was much talk about managed service providers (MSPs) and how MSPs are growing. The overall use of services delivered by channel partners reached $190.6 billion in 2022, expected to increase more than 10% year over year. In North America, over 80,000 partners delivered managed services in 2022, and a 61% increase by year is expected. Along with this, a 1% increase in the number of partners is forecast year-over-year. With so many new providers, how does any one firm gain a competitive edge?

Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Managed Service Providers

One indicator of a high-performing MSP is a turnaround time on support tickets of under thirty minutes. Since many providers receive 3,000 tickets per month, this is a challenge. Artificial intelligence could come to the aid of managed service providers attempting to meet this indicator. Automating certain tasks and processes, such as the assignment of tickets to different technicians and having bots handle redundant and routine issues, can help reduce turnaround time. Resolving redundant and quick-to-solve issues while still delivering quality results can only help your company sell its services more effectively. 

Cybersecurity Still a Key Issue for MSPs

Another trend discussed was cybersecurity, called “the gift that keeps on giving.” MSPs can use AI automation to detect anomalies and de-escalate issues, but AI also presents a challenge in that it involves huge amounts of data – including very sensitive data. How a company handles this data can help cement its reputation for dealing proactively with potential attacks. 

The forum at Canalys brought up interesting issues, quite a few centering on managed service providers. For more information, contact ClikCloud today.

Perform an Information Technology Audit

A good place to begin, when contemplating tech spend for the coming year, is assessing where you are. In cooperation and communication with your trusted technology advisory, CIO or the head of information technology, look at your IT picture–including infrastructure and devices as well as policies and operations. Reviewing all your tech assets can show where more spend might be needed.  Are there devices, such as, PCs, Macs, and servers are out of warranty and no longer in compliance? Is there any risk of data loss or compromise, or inability to comply with data protection regulations? And are there legacy systems that could be moved to the cloud, to save operating expenses? Finally, could expanding your consulting budget to work with your technology budget help you start new tech initiatives? These and other questions can show you strong points in your infrastructure as well as any deficiencies.

Examine Trends in Terms of How They Can Help Your Business

For 2024, many businesses are looking at some exciting trends. For example, Artificial Intelligence can help with automation, which in turn can save labor costs. Many companies are hoping to use the cloud for their internal infrastructure as well as customer-facing applications. Taking note of these trends and even being excited about them is significant, but you also need to look at your objectives. Would automation serve your business, and in what way? For example, automation might help your call center workers help customers with more complex problems, leaving simpler questions to a chatbot. Migrating a certain percentage of your internal infrastructure to the cloud can help convert capital expense to operating expense while taking advantage of the scale and security of cloud computing. With constant digital innovation, cybersecurity remains an issue and a key area of expenditure. 

Make Your Tech Department a Partner in Spending Decisions

Ideally, your tech department (or even head of IT) will be aligned with overall business objectives. This brings the assurance that IT investments will benefit the business as a whole and provide value (which is not just monetary). Alignment can lead to more effective and efficient IT operations, since unnecessary tasks could be eliminated. Alignment can strengthen the organization to be resilient and flexible in a challenging business environment.

In looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, excitement about new technologies needs to be tempered with consideration of how they support business goals and strategies. For more guidance, please contact your technology advisor today.

Tech Spending to Increase in 2024

In general, worldwide technology spending is expected to increase by 8%, according to a Gartner article in October of 2023. The key sectors expecting growth include software at 13.8% IT services at 10.4%. Data privacy spending is expected to jump from 18.5% in 2023 to nearly 25% in 2024, and even network security equipment is expected to grow but more modestly, from 12.9% to 13.9%. Main business drivers are digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, according to a Telarus report for 2023. Businesses are expecting to think about moving legacy systems for business operations to the cloud, when previously most of the cloud applications used were for customer-facing services. This has the possibility of driving managed services spending as well. Along with digital innovation comes cybersecurity concerns, propelling information security and risk management spending to $215 billion, a 24% increase from 2023. 

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence

An IDC blog post forecasts global IT spending to expand to over $500 billion by 2027, with more spend allocated to AI implementation and adoption of AI-enhanced products and services. Technology providers anticipate investing money along with time and  brainpower in incorporating AI into the core of their business. Although AI is a major turning point–with ChatGPT’s 3.5 series released nearly a year ago– generative AI is not expected to come to the fore until about 2025. Artificial Intelligence is still expected to be in the background, improving processes. For example, it works with Microsoft’s Copilot to aid collaboration by combining the power of large language models with users’ data. It can operate with common MS applications like Word and Excel, offering assistance in real time. While primarily for businesses of 300 workers or more, it has potential to serve smaller businesses as well. 

Applications of Internet of Things

Internet of things (IoT) involves connecting devices to networks, with applications  in the energy and security sectors, including video surveillance. With more cloud use, data centers need physical security protection. A “smart” (connected) surveillance camera can be connected to other devices like alarms, to alert security professionals to potential threats. Artificial intelligence might operate with IoT to produce close-to-human image analysis.

The Internet of Things has much to offer the energy sector, too. Connected devices can monitor energy usage, helping reduce cost by scheduling appliances to be on and off at different times, shutting off some during peak times. Customers can partner with utility providers to make energy use more efficient and less expensive. 

Cybersecurity Considerations

Because digital innovation also leads to more threats, businesses looking to move customer service and back-office work to the cloud must pay attention to (and possibly spend more on) cybersecurity. Protections are needed for data, applications and infrastructure against escalating cyberthreats. The software sector also needs to pay attention to cybersecurity, with AI creating security fears like loss of data control. According to Gartner, double-digit growth is expected in all segments of enterprise security spending in 2024.

Start and Continue With Quality Content

According to statistics, LinkedIn enjoys a usership of 900 million people in 200 countries. Users connect with each other, post content, and get involved in groups. Part of getting noticed is publishing quality content. Such content is interesting, informative, relevant to the reader, and contains a clear call to action. For example, it gives the reader the opportunity to subscribe to the company newsletter or visit the company’s other social media sites. Content can include your personal profile with career highlights, your company’s web page, and even in-depth posts about your industry. Licenses and certifications will attest to your skills, and you can even get recommendations and testimonials. Along with quality of content, sharing the content consistently according to goals you’ve set, will help you stay top of mind with readers. Remembering to clearly display contact information will help readers connect with you.

Features within LinkedIn make it easy to share your content. Using the “start a post” feature brings up a screen where you can choose a photo, video, or article, or create your own post. For sharing content, copy and paste (or simply type) the link. Sharing content regularly can help keep you relevant to your connections, and including your LinkedIn URL in your signature makes you easy to find and interact with. 

Then, Optimize with Keywords

Part of sharing content is making that content easy to find with common search engines. Using keywords organically and weaving them through your content is the best way to boost your ranking (no keyword stuffing!). Keywords can also be integrated into headlines, company descriptions and other types of content, so your business and your own profile are easy to find. Last but not least, you can include keywords when communicating in groups.

Expand Your Connections

Expanding your connections, along with sharing content, is an ongoing process. Using LinkedIn’s Import Addresses feature allows you to select contacts you may not have thought of, who you can invite to connect. Rather than sending a bulk email, being intentional about who you invite will get better results. Connecting, or reconnecting, with people you may have lost touch with is another way to expand your LinkedIn contacts. Whenever you invite someone to be a connection, sending a brief message about how you met them will help establish context. 

Communicate with Other LinkedIn Users

Engaging with other users, in particular on LinkedIn groups, helps you expand your reach and make contact with others in your industry. Consider joining multiple quality groups with a lot of activity and abundant content. Checking into your groups frequently and commenting on posts gives you a chance to share additional content and help others. By the way, groups with many link posts but few comments might contain spam–something to stay away from. Participating in groups helps your brand gain recognition, help you make more connections, and share information with others.

LinkedIn is a valuable, low-cost way to market your business. For more guidance in using this resource to best advantage, contact ClikCloud today. 

Encouraging Signs, with Room for Greater Improvement

In recent years, businesses have made strides in adopting a proactive stance toward cybersecurity, according to the CompTIA report. Of the small to medium-size businesses surveyed, solid percentages have formal frameworks for cybersecurity (45% for small businesses, and 63% for medium-size companies. Many small companies are assessing their risk, but without a formal framework. Over the last year or so, general satisfaction about the state of cybersecurity has increased, as well as satisfaction of respondents with their own company’s cybersecurity. Even with these modest increases, progress is still somewhat slow.

In spite of said progress, data breaches still occur. The global average cost of a data breach is $4.45 million! In 2022,  96% of organizations had at least one breach, according to a report cited by CompTIA. The top of mind question is quite naturally “What is the cost of a cybersecurity incident?” What if organizations could also ask what the cost is not just in terms of money but in time and effort taken to prevent an incident? 

Constructing a Risk-Management Plan

Cybersecurity has often been considered a secondary factor in the past, but businesses are now shifting from a defensive posture to a proactive one. Risk management involves identifying the risks that come with doing business; assigning probabilities to specific risks relevant to the company; and proposing mitigation plans. A formal framework is helpful in considering all risks, including ones not normally connected with IT. One such risk comes from phishing schemes, where individuals are targeted with email containing links to ransomware. Many workers posting on social media sites could make their employers targets for these social engineering attacks. One concern cited by the cybersecurity report was whether new technology a company buys can introduce new cybersecurity concerns. 

Many factors need to be considered when analyzing and managing cybersecurity risks. For help with your company’s efforts, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Significance of Defense in Depth

With business operations having altered in the last several years, more endpoints are connected to networks, and the threat surface expands. Not every remote worker may have the most up-to-date antivirus protection, for example. Bad actors could use brute-force attacks, seeking entry into numerous parts of the network. With defense in depth, other controls would keep the criminals from getting very far. This redundancy can give administrators time to enact countermeasures to keep the intruder from penetrating the network deeply

Typically, defense in depth involves three layers of controls–administrative, physical and technical. Administrative controls have to do with the policies and procedures that workers follow; for example, restricting permission to certain portions of the network, and allowing access to the data and applications they need to do their work (least privilege). Another layer involves physical security, and protects data centers and IT systems from threats like data theft. These controls include guards, security cameras and biometrics and/or ID cards. The layers of controls are working at different layers yet are integrated to provide a strong defense against cyberattack.

Getting Started with Defense in Depth

But where to start? CompTIA’s article on the topic makes several suggestions. One is to identify what malicious activity might look like for your business. Analyze data to develop a baseline for what’s normal in order to detect any anomalies when they happen. What are your most critical technological assets, and what do you need to do to protect them? These assets would be the core from which to build other layers of protection. What intrusion detection systems do you have? Are there others you can implement? Once you have your systems in place, it’s time to penetration-test your environment to find any weak spots.

Individual technology tools like firewalls, patches and network monitoring can work even better when they are integrated into a defense-in-depth system. For guidance in getting started, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Getting Your Website Noticed

How to ensure your website lands at the top of the search engine results page (SERP)? Search engine optimization, with its use of keywords in website content as well as image and video tags and headings, is the way to accomplish this goal. Content, like that on your website and blog, should be high quality, with keywords included organically throughout. On the other hand, you need to avoid the practice of “keyword stuffing” (using keywords inappropriately) so your content is not flagged by search engines. Google, a popular search engine, gives a quality score based on the content of your ads and landing pages, to show what you do well and what needs improvement. The more relevant keywords you use, the higher your score. Not only do you need to optimize your content itself, but the appearance of your website. 

Mobile Optimization Enhances User Experience

Your website ideally loads within a few seconds.Many visitors could leave your website if the wait is more than two or three seconds, perhaps even less for viewing on phones and tablets. Not having your website load as quickly as possible can cause you leads and conversions. Once your website loads, the user needs to navigate it easily. Does the visitor have to zoom in on portions of your content to read it, or does the text size adjust according to the device used? Part of content is a clear call-to-action, and your website also needs to make it easy for the visitor to take action–click on a link, subscribe to a newsletter, or whatever action you wish readers to take. Is your contact information easy to locate, if you hope for customers to call you? Compressing images on your screen can make them viewable. 

Practicing Mobile Search Engine Optimization

Rather than one type of optimization preceding the other, the two should operate hand-in-hand. Providing solid content with relevant keywords, and including these keywords in tags and descriptions can help your site get noticed. Mobile search engine optimization can help keep customers coming back and buying from your mobile website, where a high percentage of customers make their purchases. Including local keywords can be especially helpful, since many people look up businesses using keywords such as “near me” or “open now”. Turning to a professional for assistance can be invaluable when learning how to optimize SEO for your mobile site.

Optimizing your website is crucial for your digital marketing and business success. For a free website review, contact ClikCloud today. 

Benefits of the Awareness Movement

The goal of the collaboration on Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, and to ensure that businesses–including small to medium-size businesses–have the resources to be safer and more secure online. Such resources include educational tools like guides, planners, training modules, and much more, to help your business make cybersecurity awareness a visible part of your organization. Not only do these tools come in different languages, but they can be modified to fit the specific needs of your organization.

Awareness Just the Beginning

While awareness is certainly important, it’s just the beginning of being prepared. A good first step in preparedness is mapping your entire network, finding out every device connected to it and learning whether those devices are secure. Another step is keeping track of the latest threats–phishing emails that can introduce malware to your network, or hacking attacks to take advantage of weak spots in your infrastructure. Evaluating the risks particular to your geographic location is important, though even a low-risk location is still subject to the risks of power outages and the resulting downtime.  And don’t forget assessing the knowledge of your workers, including any weak spots in training. 

Once you have assessed your company’s vulnerability, you can begin to plan. Who will be responsible for which roles, what the first step after a cyberattack, what portions of your network need to be strengthened, all are to be outlined in your cybersecurity plan. Not only that, a training plan should be developed for employees so they will know how to respond.

Employee Training in Cybersecurity

Taking into account the human aspect of cybersecurity is critical. Many data breaches can result from human error. Training in password management is a vital part of helping workers be cyber-smart. Passwords should be unique and hard to guess, not shared with others. Because it can be difficult to think of (and remember) distinctive passwords, password management tools like apps or even technological tools built into the browser or operating systems, are available. A password management plug-in can even ask the user to store a password so that the workers won’t have to memorize numerous passwords. 

Cybersecurity is something not just to be aware of but to actively plan for – a cyber attack could happen anytime. For assistance in developing your plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Consequences of Not Being Prepared

The disaster may be twofold, as discovered in Maui. Not only did brush fires start, but winds from Hurricane Dora blasted part of the island, resulting in an even worse catastrophe. Businesses and homes were burned to the ground, and work stopped. Do you know what your business would do during an outage, let alone a disaster like Hawaii’s? And why limit preparedness to major disasters? These days, anything can happen–even a worker unwittingly clicking on a link in a phishing email, giving away confidential information. Disasters can be big, or stem from small actions. Data can be lost or stolen, resulting in regulatory fines and loss of confidence in your business. Bad actors are always looking for ways to catch businesses off guard; the cyber damage can last even longer than physical damage. 

Where to Begin

Perhaps you’re overwhelmed by the process, wondering how to even get started. A good place to start is doing an audit of your current preparedness level. What systems, data and applications need to be up and running first, to keep your business operating? Which ones can be delayed a bit while you get your bearings? A thorough review of business-critical functions can show you where you have preparations in place and where you don’t. Where is your data stored, and what security procedures does your provider practice to keep the data from getting lost or stolen? 

Preparing a Plan – What to Consider

Agencies like the Small Business Administration (SBA) can help you formulate your plan, step by step. A good first step is auditing and updating contact information for everyone in the business, to assess their welfare in the case of a natural disaster. Consider also which applications you need to use immediately, such as email or file-sharing, to keep your business going during and after even a relatively small incident. Which data protection regulations does your company adhere to, and how do they address data loss? 

While getting started with (or refining) your company’s preparedness plan can be daunting, doing so will pay off. For help in designing a plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today

Getting Started with Google Marketing

Google offers many free tools for businesses on a budget. Starting with Google My Business, your company can verify its business listing; this listing is available to any business with a physical presence and that interacts with customers in person. Next step can be adding information for your business, including hours, products/services, and customer reviews and testimonials. By skending your visitors a link to your listing, you can get additional reviews. Google My Business also provides metrics (such as numbers of clicks) to show the success of your marketing efforts.

Using Google Ads for Greater Return on Investment

Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords) is a pay-per-click platform for buying advertisements on Google. Google assigns a quality score according to keywords’ relevance and quality. Businesses with high quality scores rank higher in search engine results, and this leads to more clicks and conversions, not to mention a lower cost for each click. With this in mind, make keywords as specific and relevant as possible to help your business show up high on the results page, giving it the visibility it needs. Tip: make sure your website has solid landing pages with a strong ‘call to action’ and trust builder, such as customer reviews.

Keeping An Eye on Metrics

Another advantage is the ability to see at a glance how your business is reaching customers. How many clicks are you getting? What channels do visitors use most to interact with your brand? Google’s machine learning can process data automatically and even predict how your users will behave in the future. You can then fine-tune your efforts for even more ROI.

Google can be an effective marketing platform for businesses with a limited marketing budget. For further information, contact ClikCloud today. 

 Cloud Security and Why it Matters

Cloud computing, although providing multiple benefits, also presents security concerns. With compute resources available through the Internet, the greater amount of data moving between networks and devices, data which can be lost or stolen. Cloud security is a combination of technology, processes and policies that can keep your applications and data safe, reliable and available. Who ensures this, your company or the provider?

Cloud Security a Shared Responsibility

The answer is, both. In general, the provider provides and maintains the infrastructure, and the company looks after the data and applications “in” the cloud. How much responsibility either party assumes depends on the type of platform used. For instance, for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), the provider furnishes just that – infrastructure–and your company needs to manage the security of its own data and applications.  Other platforms like PaaS and SaaS provide more oversight. Sometimes the CSP will also offer data storage and monitoring. Top providers may even offer security-by-design or layered security as well as network monitoring and identity access management. 

Your Company’s Role

In general, a provider that handles more of the functions also protects more. Beginning with Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), you secure data, applications, and control over your virtual network. With Platform as a Service (PaaS) you still handle data and applications and user access. Software as a Service (SaaS) allows you to outsource applications while still maintaining oversight of user access. Your company may need to employ multi-factor authentication for access control and train workers in password procedures. 

Considerations When Seeking a Provider

When evaluating a cloud service provider, security is critical. Does your current or prospective provider offer network monitoring? One of the concerns about cloud is lack of visibility regarding who attempts to access your network; how does the provider address this? With more scrutiny of data handling and more stringent regulations, assuring that your provider follows the same regulations you do is vital. 

Cloud computing, even with its benefits, carries security risks. To learn more about developing your cloud security strategy, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

ChatGPT Has Started a New Conversation

Recently, CompTIA published a blog post about how generative IT has created great potential to enhance everything we do, but also brings up serious questions. The article cites questions for business leaders to ask. One is, can you harness AI to improve your operations and offerings, and should you? What benefits does AI offer, and what risks? And what do customers want? As with all tech innovations, considering business goals first is key, and how the technology can be implemented to achieve these goals. One theme that stands out from the article: proceed, but with caution.

Benefits Come with Considerations

Some members of the CompTIA board of directors cite specific ways they’ve benefited from AI technology. For example, one is able to upload documents like contracts and let AI find any red flags ahead of time, reducing legal costs. Or an email scheduling app can remind a user of upcoming appointments, almost in the same way a human would. Perhaps AI could be used on a video call to summarize main points and come up with directions for what to do next. With AI, especially applications like ChatGPT, come different considerations.

Potential Risks of Generative AI 

According to Scott Barlow, one of the authors, “previous technologies helped organizations to grow faster and scale. AI will take that to the next level and enable everyone to be more productive.” He goes on to say that it comes with more risks than other applications. Errors, or “hallucinations” can happen, where the accuracy of the model deteriorates. One model’s ability to respond correctly to math questions dropped from 93% to 30%, according to Barlow. Aside from this, data may be biased, leading the algorithm to generate content that may unfairly exclude others. And how transparent is the model’s process of generating the result? Explainability is another issue–how did the large language model (LLM) used find the result it did. 

One of the big risks is security. For starters, even though AI has potential to spot threats, it could also enable even an amateur hacker to write malware into code and distribute it via a sophisticated phishing email, or simply find other ways to intrude into your company’s network. Companies will need to consider access controls, such as which LLMs they allow their workers to use. Additionally, this use needs to be protected by a firewall and must not access an organization’s intellectual property. Protecting customers’ personally identifiable information is also paramount. Artificial intelligence also has the potential to value efficiency over interacting with people, another thing to think about preventing. While people enjoy using AI in the form of ChatGPT and what it generates, they still need to interact with a human. Or they need to be given that choice. 

While AI’s capabilities and potential are exciting, we still need to proceed carefully and watch out for risks. For further guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

What ADA Compliance Means to Your Business

Complying with the ADA in general refers to making your website, mobile apps and digital properties accessible to users with disabilities. Accessibility and inclusion are considered a human right, and therefore companies are obligated to make their businesses easy for those of all abilities to access. The ADA was passed into law before Internet use became ubiquitous, and did not directly address the technological offerings of businesses. Compliance with ADA guidelines has become an issue due to increased litigation around the act. Users with disabilities are 80% more likely to spend time and money on a business whose website is compliant with accessibility requirements. On the flip side, nearly 70% of individuals with disabilities will immediately leave a site that doesn’t meet their needs, according to the ADA. The section having to do with ADA compliance is found in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG, for short). By conforming with WCAG when designing and improving your website or mobile app, you will be compliant with the ADA. A good number of the guidelines have to do with mobile accessibility, which can’t be neglected in providing users a positive experience. 

Examples of Accommodations 

When creating content for their websites, companies can do a great deal to help everyone enjoy text, videos, podcasts and more. For instance, making text simple and straightforward makes it easy for those with varying cognitive levels to understand. Creating captions for videos can help people who have trouble hearing. Making links larger (and easier to click) helps people engage further with your content. These accommodations are relatively simple and easy to implement, but others require more consideration and planning. 

Best Practices for Business

What can your business do to make compliance easier? To start with, incorporating mandatory training in web accessibility for those involved in your digital operations can help make them knowledgeable about inclusive websites. Including people with disabilities in the user flow training could give additional insight into what can help users access your content. Using an accessibility plug-in like One Click Accessibility on WordPress can help your efforts with readable text, varying levels of contrast, and more. Continually  monitoring your website will point up any accessibility issues. 

Accessibility of all users to your website and mobile applications is not just legally required, but is good for business. To learn more about working toward ADA compliance, contact ClikCloud today.

The Potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence

What Generative AI is and Why it Matters

In the article, generative artificial intelligence is defined as AI that is typically built using foundation models and having capabilities that earlier artificial intelligence lacked. Generative AI can generate content, which earlier AI couldn’t do. A foundational model is based on deep learning, akin to the neural layers in the human brain. The foundational model uses (is trained) on vast amounts of unstructured and unlabeled data to perform tasks immediately, or that data can be refined to accomplish specific tasks. Generative AI has the potential to add value and increase revenue in businesses across all sectors; when applied across industries, the use cases for generative AI could deliver a total value of $2.6 to $4.4 trillion of economic benefits per year. 

Generative AI could change the anatomy of work altogether, eliminating certain mundane tasks that take up a good part of each workday. It was forecast that AI might automate 50% of tasks between 2035 and 2070; the estimate has since been adjusted to nearly a decade earlier than that. Call centers, sales, banking and other industries have the potential to use generative AI in imaginative ways to improve processes, cut costs and increase revenue. 

Use Cases for Generative AI in Various industries

Generative AI, with its power to speed processes and generate  content, will play a vital role in the knowledge economy–academia, banking, finance–as well as in business departments like marketing and sales. 

Some examples:

• Sales and Marketing: gathering data for marketing campaigns, crafting personalized emails according to market segments and demographics; and generating sales leads. Improvement in SEO can help increase conversions and lower cost through optimization for “page titles, image tags and URLs” along with supporting specialists in creating content and distributing it to customers. 

• Customer Service: Faster access to customer information; the ability to resolve customer service requests on first contact; ability to help more customers during the workday. The economic value could cover 30 to 45% of current function costs.

• Software development: writing code, creating numerous architecture designs, and processing data. 

With Possibilities Come Risks

The uses of generative AI may only be limited to the imagination of the users. With this potential comes possible risks that businesses and society need to grapple with. Do generative AI models come up with accurate information, free of bias? What about explainability–is it clear how the model provides its results? There is also the risk of bad actors manipulating the tool to produce more frequent and more sophisticated attacks, even producing fake audio and video content (“deep fakes”). Other concerns have to do with the security and privacy of data, including that which identifies individuals. What challenges will actually emerge, remain to be seen.

While generative AI has tremendous capacity to transform, it disrupts at the same time. For more guidance on harnessing generative AI, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Cloud Helps Convert Capital Expense to Operating Expense

Cloud has helped many businesses, especially small to medium-sized businesses, move their computing from possibly aging on-premise infrastructure to a cloud service provider’s (CSP) infrastructure. Thus, the CSP handles the operation and maintenance of servers, hardware and software. Small to medium-sized businesses can switch from capital expenses (including the depreciation of equipment) to a flexible subscription-based computing model that allows the company to scale provision up and down as needed. Organizations can respond easily to  demand fluctuations and use the cloud to  support business innovation. Companies are able to monitor their usage, learning the compute cost for each of customers and adjust usage as needed. 

“Everything as a Service”  Can Help Streamline Costs

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS),  Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service(SaaS) are three primary cloud service offerings, and the range of new ones has grown over the years.  “As a Service” offerings have grown, and are expected to continue growing, over the next few years. In 2022, Gartner predicted that IT spending would exceed $1.3 trillion, and expand to $1.8 trillion by 2025. Everything as a Service (XaaS) brings together multiple offerings into one package, and investment in XaaS is slated to be the top category. In addition to the most common offerings listed above, XaaS can include Database as a Service (DBaaS), Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) and many others. 

Considerations for Cloud Adoption

When considering XaaS or any other cloud offering, a business needs to consider the business case for its use. What are the company’s goals, short- and long-term? What new products or services do they hope to roll out, and how will the cloud help? For example, a company might want to strengthen its disaster recovery plan, and invest in Disaster Recovery as a Service. What the offerings have in common is the flexibility and scalability of cloud, the ability to purchase more (or fewer) computing resources according to business needs. With this flexibility comes the need for a strong internet connection and network. Businesses subject to data-privacy and security regulations will need to ensure that their prospective provider follows the same regulations.

Cloud computing holds great potential to simplify infrastructure and convert capital expense to easily-managed operating expense. For more guidance on migrating workloads to the cloud and maximizing its benefits, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Harnessing the Power of Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is a low-cost way to make your business known and grow customers’ confidence in your brand. Using social media does take effort and planning, which will bring rewards in terms of engagement, click-throughs and shares. Quality content in the form of blog posts, videos, photos and more, posted regularly can draw visitors and motivate them to interact with your brand.  Not only that, compelling content can lead visitors to share and tag your posts on their own social media platforms. 

Different Platforms for Different Needs 

Not all social media platforms are the same, but used for different purposes. Some, like Instagram and Pinterest, are more visual. Others, like LinkedIn, are geared for developing strong business-to-business and person-to-person networks. Linkedin is a professional site on which to build a network of first-, second- and third-degree connections, and expand your business-to-business (B2B) marketing efforts. Sharing a post on LinkedIn to other social media can expose your brand to other markets.

Developing Your Social Media Marketing Strategy

Know Your Audience

How do you know who to market to? In other words, what is your target market, and your ideal customer? Whose attention do you want your LinkedIn profile to attract? Developing a customer persona, learning their needs and questions, can help you market your business to the right target. Are they just getting started in the workforce, or seasoned professionals? 

Develop Quality Content

Knowing your target market well will play a part in developing quality content that visitors will find engaging and worth sharing with others. When it comes to content, quality is even more important than quantity; better a couple of powerful posts a few times a week than less engaging ones each day. 

Establish Metrics to Track Progress

Another part of your social media strategy is metrics, which measure the success of your efforts. How many new leads did your content generate last week? Last month? How many clicks, comments and “likes” did your posts get (engagement)? What content got shared and tagged most? This will show you how well you’re reaching your target audience, and how engaging they find your content. Even impressions (how many times your posts are seen, clicked on or not) count for something. Tracking your metrics will help refine your goals, and what you may need to change.

Social media marketing is a powerful way to strengthen relationships with present customers and establish leads to new customers. For further assistance, contact ClikCloud today. 

The Cost of Failing to Plan

The cost of downtime is $5,600 per minute! Multiply that out, and you could be paying hundreds of thousands or even millions for lost revenue, lost wages (or overtime when systems come back online), or fines for regulatory non-compliance. Even if unplanned downtime is just an hour, the cost is steep. The revenue you lose because your customers can’t purchase items on your website, and even missed deadlines for projects, can hurt your bottom line and your reputation with customers. Data breaches from cyberattacks can reduce your customers’ trust as well, and possibly result in fines for regulatory non-compliance. By not having a plan, you may waste valuable time because you don’t know what to do first. 

Developing a Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Plan

A business continuity/disaster recovery plan is vital in protecting your company. The disaster recovery aspect deals with how your business will bounce back from a natural or manmade disaster.  How do you develop your plan? A good first step is assessing the current state of your network as well as the risks your company faces. Do your systems have any holes where malware can enter or places where data might become bottlenecked? Do you have redundancy/failover so that if one part of your network is down, another part can pick up the traffic? What about equipment you have on-premise–is it protected from overheating, a common cause of equipment failure? And what about cyber defense? Is your data backed up and safeguarded in the event of loss or intrusion? Finally, consider whether your employees are adequately trained and able to recognize (and stop) a potential phishing attempt. A robust plan will have provisions for infrastructure, systems, processes and personnel.

Keep Your Plan in Shape

Once you have a plan and implement it, testing will show how well it works. Staging mock events will show how workers act in the event of a cyberattack, and will show what they know (or don’t). Testing your plan will show what areas are strong and which need fixing. How quickly, for example, can data be retrieved from backup? Making detailed note of what goes well will help refine your plan and prepare you in case of an emergency.

Disasters come, but need not harm your business; having a plan is key. For guidance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

More and More Businesses Use Artificial Intelligence

Use of artificial intelligence is growing, and is only expected to increase. According to a report cited by a CompTIA article, the market for AI is expected to grow by 38.1% each year until 2030–from 2022’s market of $119.7 billion. Tech and financial services are the industry sectors using it most, with telecommunications at 5%. Customer satisfaction for companies using artificial intelligence is expected to grow by 25%. What makes AI such a draw, especially for small to medium-sized businesses?

Benefits of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be used for business processes like automated chat, or to analyze great amounts of data in a way more time- and labor-saving than humans can. For smaller companies, having automated processes can free up a smaller staff from performing mundane tasks.  Businesses can use AI to get customer feedback to change course in product/service offerings if needed. Automation by AI can even help with cybersecurity by detecting patterns and even anomalies in the sea of data generated by businesses–perhaps stopping a cyberattack in its tracks. Artificial intelligence can also be taught to shut down affected systems and isolate the threat. In terms of saving costs, businesses can allow automated chat to handle simple and quick customer service queries, allowing workers to focus on more complex issues. Moreover, your business may be seen as proactive and responsive, giving it a competitive edge.

Possible Risks of Using Artificial Intelligence

The benefits are apparent, but so are the risks. A substantial percentage (62%) of McKinsey 

Respondents named cybersecurity as the biggest risk. Systems using AI can be hacked and data stolen or manipulated, because of the autonomy of these systems. Use of AI to analyze data can expose that data to loss or theft. Other concerns are whether the decisions AI makes are trustworthy as far as accuracy (explainability–how did the machine arrive at the result it did?) and that the results are as free of bias as possible. Compliance is another risk–does the system handle data in the way that complies with industry regulations. Artificial intelligence, even with its abundant promise, still needs to have a strong framework of policies and procedures for maintaining security and privacy.

Artificial intelligence can provide many benefits to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as bring up questions about safety and privacy. For further information, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Importance of Website Security

Going on a website itself involves a transfer of data, before any of it’s stored and used by a business. When connecting to a website, packets of data move from the server hosting the website, and these packets are stored temporarily on the user’s computer. Data transfer goes in the opposite direction, too–information like who is connecting, their IP address and more. At any point in the process, a bad actor can steal the data and even create fake packets to install malware. Therefore, data encryption is crucial. If visitors’ data is lost, stolen or compromised, it can mean fines and loss of reputation, even going out of business. This begs the question, how to protect user data?

Website Security Best Practices 

As always, data protection involves people, processes and technology. Having strict access controls for insiders like website administrators helps determine who handles personal information. Practices like maintaining data for a limited time and communicating with website visitors about data use are key in safeguarding personal information. When using WordPress, keeping your plug-ins up to date Firewalls and security patches help identify what information is transferred between your server and the internet, and have the most current protections to software and applications. A secure socket layer (SSL) encrypts data in transit and an  SSL certificate shows customers that your website is secure, putting them at ease. Keeping WordPress plugins up to date, and updating WordPress, helps you make your website secure.  Putting a terms of use page on your website, where data-handling practices are described, may also give customers confidence. 

Following Data Protection Regulations Reinforces Website Security

Many organizations are required to comply with some data protection regulation, whether PCI-DSS (e-commerce), HIPAA (healthcare), GDPR (if doing business with European companies) or the Federal Trade Commission in the US. Moreover, individual US states like California have their own legislation on what can be done with customer data and what rights customers have around their data. Even if your company is exempt from some regulations, basing your data-handling practices on the regulations can only help you earn the confidence of your customers.

Your customers’ trust in your website depends on how you treat their data. For more information on keeping your website safe, contact ClikCloud today.

What is SIEM?

Security information and event management (SIEM) combines two separate systems to not only gather information but develop rules to help analysts understand what occurs in your company’s network. Security information management involves the gathering, monitoring and analysis of security-related information across different computer logs–including email applications. 

Security event management is involved in helping respond to incidents. SIEM brings the two functions together – the strong log-keeping functions of SIM with the response capabilities of SEM. The information is put together in a standard format, then aggregated and analyzed, helping IT professionals prioritize their threat response. Since SIEM can be outsourced to managed service providers (MSPs), it is possible for small to medium-sized businesses to afford it and not have to hire extra staff.

SIEM and Phishing Attacks

The security operations center of an average organization can receive tens of thousands of threats, and some can receive ten times more. What’s a small or medium-sized business to do? How do they know they are victims of a ransomware attack until the damage is already done? Security information and event management has the capacity to gather and analyze information about user authentication attempts, separating normal logins from malicious attempts. When unusual login activity is detected, an event is created when it happens.  The SIEM software can then lock out the suspicious user while doing the investigation. While SIEM can show IT teams what’s happening throughout the network, everyone still needs to be aware of phishing emails and what they look like, and trained to act.

Train Your Workers, Too

Humans are thought of as  the weak spot in protecting against cyber attacks, including phishing emails. But what if, combined with SIEM, they are a strong defense against malware and other dangerous network intrusions? Whether phishing attempts using ChatGPT as the hook will become so sophisticated as to hide normal clues to phishing emails is not yet known. Clues like spelling errors and poor grammar are signs that the email is not from a legitimate sender. Educating workers to look for more information without clicking on malicious links and attachments, can help them identify a phishing email.

Technological tools like SIEM can combine with staff training to provide a strong defense against hazards from phishing emails. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

What ChatGPT is, and Why it Matters

ChatGPT, a product from Open AI, is a Large Language Model (LLM) built on datasets from the Internet and pre-trained to give responses to questions, generate content, and make user interfaces more personal and interactive. Predictive text is already prevalent in email applications, wherein the application tries to guess the next few words or next sentence. All the user has to do is click the tab button to accept or continue typing to override the suggestion. Similarly, the artificial intelligence powering ChatGPT can help generate text by prompting the writer with suggestions based on Internet data. Organizations can save time and improve customer service, content creation, research and even automate customer service analytics. Generative artificial intelligence is the enabling technology for ChatGPT, and uses are probably limited only to the human imagination. Artificial intelligence puts together information from the Internet, but it’s up to the user to judge the content’s usefulness and accuracy. 

Early Adoption of ChatGPT Progresses Quickly

While not yet audited for bias and accuracy, ChatGPT has still become popular, and will probably become even more so, with so many quickly adopting it. Technological innovations like the telephone and electricity took decades to reach ubiquity, nearly eighty years in the case of the telephone. Electricity, first introduced at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, was thought marvelous–it too had its risks, including fires from improper wiring. According to a CompTIA article, the 1893 fire had the effect of starting a national certification for electricians based on agreed-to standards. And standards for use of ChatGPT have yet to be formulated. 

Even with its quick adoption, use of large language models like ChatGPT produces questions. 

For one, how does the use of ChatGPT help business objectives? Use cases can include improving the personalization of user interfaces, content generation, or automating customer service analytics. Another question has to do with where the data comes from, and how it’s changed. Businesses also need to consider where data comes from, and put into place governance which managers communicate to their reports–educating them about when AI can and should be used. Moreover, like any technology, ChatGPT can be exploited by bad actors who use AI to develop more sophisticated phishing schemes and even to spoof legitimate websites. 

Security Risks of AI and its Applications

Phishing and Malware

Any new technology can potentially be hijacked by bad actors seeking to steal data. The greater field of results offered by large language models like ChatGPT may enable even amateur hackers more data to work with. They can then introduce malicious code and formulate malware, offered up to unwitting email recipients via “phishing”–pretending to be a legitimate entity and hence stealing email login credentials and other sensitive data. AI-generated malware can in turn invade a company’s entire network. Phishing schemes also have the potential to become more sophisticated since, thanks to AI’s availability in multiple languages, professional-looking emails can be produced that can fool readers who might already know traits of phishing messages like typos and spelling errors. 

Production of Fake Websites

In a similar vein, content could be produced to generate fake websites designed to harvest personally identifying information. Logos and text could very closely imitate genuine websites that fool visitors into thinking they’re on a business website–maybe your website. Many bad actors are taking advantage of the topic by setting up sites to collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from unsuspecting visitors by using ChatGPT, Generative AI and LLM topics as the hook,

Data Security at Risk

Aside from malware, phishing and fake websites, large language models can put data at risk. What about the servers storing data used by AI? How safe are they? How accurate are the results? And how private is the data? Trained data used by the AI supporting ChatGPT is massive, and is not subject to permissions for use and upload. It is also unknown if conversational data is encrypted, so this data may not be private, either. Infact, uploading information to ChatGPT places it in the public domain. While much is yet unknown, current safeguards (people, processes and technology are still needed to manage risks.

Staying Secure When Using ChatGPT

On the business side, companies need to keep a pulse on the development of ChatGPT, developing new policies and updating older ones. What will the business use ChatGPT for, and when? Where does the data come from, and how will it be used? Companies need to take a holistic approach to security, setting ground rules for use of ChatGPT and educating everyone in the company on those rules. 

On the end-user side, individuals need to be vigilant about what data they supply to ChatGPT and to its source, the Internet. They still need to know the signs of a phishing email, perhaps treating any unsolicited email as a possible phishing attempt. 

Although Open AI takes security and privacy seriously, hazards may still exist. Like any tool, ChatGPT needs to be used carefully, in line with business goals. For more assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Importance of Website Security

More than just an aspect of customer experience, the security of your website is a matter of trust. Is your customers’ data, especially personally identifiable information like payment card data, login credentials, safe in your hands? Even when following data protection policies, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certification will show your customers that your website is secure. 

What is a Secure Socket Layer?

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a standard security protocol for establishing an encrypted link between a website and server, a link that will protect login data, payment card information, and other confidential data. The SSL certificate, a data file hosted in a website’s server, that makes the encryption possible. The web address bar will show “https://” instead of just “http://, and a padlock will also display. Visitors can point their mouse arrow at it and get more information about your security certificate. Knowing that their data is safe will help your visitors enjoy your website securely.

Additional Advantages of SSL

Not only does SSL improve the actual and perceived security of your website, it offers other benefits. A website with the certification may rank higher on search results than one without. Besides, SSL encryption  will make it more difficult to hijack your domain and keep it from being a front for cyber attacks that spread malware and ransomware. Domain hijacking, wherein a bad actor changes the name of a website domain without permission of the original registrant, is a hazard with newly established websites. 

When your customers know your website is secure, their experience with it and your company will be positive. For more information, call ClikCloud today.

The Benefits of Communications and Collaboration

Anyone who has used Zoom phone and videoconferencing or Microsoft Teams over the past few years has learned how easy collaboration and communication is between coworkers and customers. Such integration can help workers collaborate online and on video along with sharing files and customer information, anytime and anywhere. What’s more, customers can choose how they communicate with you, switching easily from one channel to another. On the customer-facing side, providing customers with their favorite way of communicating gives them a positive experience with your company. Integrating communications and collaboration applications, more than having them available separately, allows a customer to stay connected from voice mail, to phone, to video, without missing a beat. This positive Customer Experience (CX) can help you not just please customers  but stand out from the competition. Using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can expedite calls, allowing workers to serve customers more quickly.

Justifying the Investment in Customer Experience

While such flexible and fluid communication sounds ideal, your company still has a budget. How, then, can you justify the omnichannel investment? According to a trends article by CompTIA, a third of channel firms report they will seek workers with experience in communications and collaboration (including social media) approaches to customer communications. An earlier article reports that companies using an integrated approach can achieve as much as 90% customer retention. Customer experience, improved by communications and collaboration, could be even more important than the actual product or service offered. Imagine being able to complete three calls using integrated channels, versus the one completed when using non-integrated methods.

Using communications and collaboration programs to integrate communications with customers and remote workers can help your business get more done more quickly and efficiently. For more information, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Importance of Data Backup

Backing up your data is obviously necessary, but where to put it? Keep it on premises and risk having it inaccessible if a disaster disrupts your business? What if your business is closed for weeks or even months? One rule, the 3-2-1 rule, advises having copies of your data in multiple locations. Loss of critical data can result in interruptions to business operations, loss of trust of customers and other stakeholders, and even penalties for failing to comply with data protection regulations. What if one of the locations for data backup and storage is the cloud, with your data managed by a cloud service provider?

Benefits of Cloud Backup to Protect Data

Simply put, cloud backup is making copies of your data to store in the cloud, with the cloud provider supervising its security and integrity. Your business will have access to data in case of a minor or even major disaster, whether a power outage of a couple hours or a longer disruption. Your IT team can send copies of your data to the CSP for storage and backup, allowing workers to access it anywhere. With the CSP furnishing the infrastructure, as well as providing monitoring and reporting services, data remains safe from loss or compromise. Data storage and backup are scalable according to demand, with no need for multiple software licenses. Security and compliance are also enabled, with encryption in transit and at rest.

Test Your Network’s Readiness for Cloud Backup

Even with its benefits, cloud backup needs careful consideration. First, can your network handle the added demand from cloud backup? Assessing your network’s strength by running a Network Assessment to stress your network in a controlled environment; this will determine your backup window. Second, will the backup schedule for database and file management mesh well with network performance? Network monitoring can spot any irregularities that might interfere with your data’s accessibility when you need it most. 

Prioritize Security and Compliance

When working with a prospective cloud service provider, ensuring their commitment to securely storing your data to protect it from loss or compromise is crucial. Do they have end-to-end encryption to ensure all your data stays secure and private? Do they follow the data compliance regulations that your company must follow? As for your own network, are there any holes that need patching, and is your protection against malware current? All are questions to consider when adopting cloud backup.

Cloud backup has the potential to keep data safe and accessible. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Hazards of an Unsecured Website

While there’s no such thing as 100% security, it is possible to make your website more difficult to breach. Websites are prime targets for bad actors, who hope to get confidential business information, especially payment card data, as well as launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks in an attempt to cripple websites. Not only that, but malware can enter an unsecured website and make it a hub for distributing that malware to customers’ devices. Weak login credentials can facilitate brute-force attacks, where hackers try numerous user identification and passwords to hack into a website. Aside from these threats, a website that even appears insecure can make visitors reluctant to interact with it.

Website Security is Worth the Effort

Not only is maintaining your website’s security a reassurance to visitors, it helps your business. Google factors security – especially a security socket layer (SSL)  certificate indicated by “https”–in its search engine rankings. The more secure your website, the higher it ranks, and the more visible it is. The primary benefit of obtaining an SSL certificate is the encryption of data traveling between a website and its visitors. As a result, attackers find it more difficult to steal important information. The certification is fairly easy to obtain, being a part of many website plans. 

Best Practices for Keeping Your Website Safe

Along with an SSL certificate, certain best practices will help you keep your website safe from attack. Keeping the platform up-to-date with content management updates on WordPress and updates to the latest operating system will help keep your site secure. So will using a web-based firewall like Cloudflare. Using strong login credentials like a distinctive username and unique password, making them hard for bad actors to guess. Passwords that include upper- and lower-case letters, symbols and numbers and at least twelve characters are more resistant to brute-force attacks. Choosing a trusted theme from WordPress instead of a null theme possibly containing malicious code is another easy way to protect your website. Finally, using a virtual private network (VPN) when accessing a website on a public network adds another protective layer of encryption.

With websites a central part of how companies do business, yours must be secure. To learn more about a website security audit, contact ClikCloud today. 

Benefits of Unified Communications

Telephone technology has come a long way since the time calls were transmitted over copper wires. Nowadays, with VoiceOver IP, users can call each other using an Internet-based cloud solution. With this different interface, the provider handles back-end infrastructure and all the customer needs is the internet connection. This technology is flexible and scalable, and can be integrated with your company’s applications to help speed business processes. Lines can be added easily via your company’s internet router to accommodate more remote workers, and they can access your network and its applications. Like with other cloud offerings, VoIP can convert the capital expense of phone sets to a flexible internet-based subscription model.

Preparing Your Network for Unified Communications

No matter your company’s needs, considerations remain when considering cloud-based phone technology. First, is your company’s network strong enough, with sufficient bandwidth,  to support more traffic? Does your network and all connected devices have the most current antivirus and anti-malware definitions? Another question to answer: have you considered what features of a provider’s plan would best align with business goals?

Considerations When Choosing a Provider

Numerous providers exist, and offer internet telephony packages with varying features. Some can furnish you with things like toll-free numbers and even international calling. Which features are must-haves for your business, and which are simply nice to have but not essential? Businesses with call centers, for instance, might need a package they can integrate with their customer-service software. Technical support is another consideration; some providers offer 24/7 support but others don’t. Whatever your business, you’ll need to know about the security of the provider’s data centers and if data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.

Unified Communications has  the potential to transform how your business collaborates. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Consequences of Phishing

According to a 2021 CISCO report, many cyber attacks happen by way of fraudulent emails (and sometimes texts) wherein malicious actors masquerade as legitimate individuals or entities to get confidential information or to infect networks with malware. The sender of the email seems to be a legitimate sender, perhaps from a well-known company, or business the company has interacted with before. They may include an attachment appearing to be a PDF, or a URL in the body of the email. 

According to CISCO, nearly 90% of data breaches stem from phishing attacks, the majority of these attacks coming via email. Losses from these attacks are expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025–and the losses are not only financial. In addition to penalties for failing to comply with data protection regulations and loss of money through theft, reputational loss is a serious consequence. 

People’s dependence on technology for conveniences like e-commerce and gathering information online makes it easier for phishers to craft an email that appears genuine. How do you recognize what a phishing email looks like, and train your workers to identify one as well?

Training and Awareness Help Prevent Phishing Success

How do you know an email is genuine? What characteristics show that an email is a possible phishing attack? Through training in recognizing a phishing email, your workers will know how to deal with one. An urgent call to action is one trait, along with typographical and spelling errors in the body of the email. There may be differences between the sender’s email in the header versus the body of the email. Training can be academic, through the use of documents and infographics, short videos and meetings. 

Practice and Test Security Awareness

Another facet of training is practice, which can happen through phishing attack simulations designed to test knowledge. The results can then be used to target future training. It is best to conduct training on a regular basis; consider doing academic training quarterly and performing simulations spontaneously, to help keep the material fresh in everyone’s mind.

With training and practice, your company can easily and quickly recognize phishing emails and avoid the losses associated with attacks. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.  

Business Benefits of Multi-Channel Marketing

Multi-channel marketing is simply using a wide variety of channels (traditional marketing included) to reach customers where they are. This means not just what they’re looking for, but where they like best to engage, be it Facebook/Meta and other social-media platforms, your own website and blogs, or an email newsletter. You can reach different segments of your markets, widening your reach while still targeting your ideal customer. Not only that, you can expedite movement of leads through the funnel, from initial contact to conversion. Done well, this type of marketing can also cement the authority of your brand. 

Using Multi-Channel Marketing

The best place to start with any marketing campaign is defining your goals. Perhaps you desire to get more leads overall, or you want to create repeat interactions with customers you already have. How many new leads do you want per month, and how many new interactions? What if you want to cement your brand and messaging in the minds of readers on other websites? Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in particular need to fine-tune their content, since many MSPS offer similar services. Sharing quality content across multiple channels has the potential to distinguish an MSP from its competition. Backlinking to authoritative websites relevant to your industry will bring additional attention to your website and trust to your brand, provided your linked content provides value. Sharing quality video content with embedded YouTube videos provides yet another way for customers to get to know your company. Finally, retargeting using Google Adwords is a way of letting someone do some of your marketing for you. 

Sharing your content across multiple channels is a great way to expand your reach while targeting your ideal customer. To get on board with multi-channel marketing, contact ClikCloud today.

How Economic Outlook Influences Technology Spending

According to Gartner, tech spending in 2023 is estimated to reach $4.6 billion. Yet an IDC survey paints a more cautious picture. According to the results of this survey, small to medium-size businesses are fearful about an economic downturn in 2023. About 60% of SMBs surveyed expect at least a moderate recession, and 20% anticipate a severe downturn. Does this mean putting the brakes on all IT spending? Not necessarily. 

Allocate Spending Wisely to Meet Business Goals

Rather than stopping all new spending, SMBs need to consider purchases in light of how they support overall business goals. For example, automation is a current trend. How will it help your business? Which processes can be automated, and what business goals are supported? Automation can help save on labor costs, too.  Chief Information Officers (CIOs) need to work with Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) to determine what purchases will deliver the best ROI relative to cost. A good first step is an IT audit. 

Starting with an Information Technology Audit

An information technology audit involves investigating and evaluating your company’s IT systems, infrastructure, policies and operations. An audit helps determine what assets your company currently owns, and where these assets currently are in their life cycle. What assets are in depreciation, and need to be retired? Are any assets duplicated?  Are you at risk from failure to comply with license requirements? Is corporate data safe from loss and compromise? An audit will help you identify weaknesses in your IT system and where you can streamline to cut costs. After performing an IT inventory, using IT Asset Management can be a good next step. This automated offering can give a clear picture of the health and effectiveness of your systems.

Making technology spend decisions involves your entire organization. For guidance in conducting an IT audit, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Marks of Network Health

A healthy network has enough bandwidth to handle traffic from mission-critical business activities, the flexibility to provide failover for seamless operation and the security to protect data and applications from compromise. Your network is the backbone of your IT infrastructure, and digital transformation, data protection, cloud computing, communication and collaboration applications all depend upon a strong network to function at their best. 

Performing an Audit of Your Network

Has it been a while since you’ve assessed your network’s health? An audit is a good place to start. The gathering, analysis and study of network data can show where weak spots lie, whether they’re bottlenecks that traffic can’t clear, or spots in the network that aren’t secure. Operating system patches can be applied, and any versions of anti-virus and anti-malware definitions updated. With a clear idea of your network’s strength and security, it’s easy to know what to fix.

Consider the Human Element of Network Security

Technological tools aren’t all that’s needed to safeguard your network. Your workers also play a vital role. If they manage their passwords well by establishing hard-to-guess ones at the start and changing them periodically, they can help prevent intrusion from hackers. Not only that, by knowing the marks of a phishing email, they can prevent confidential data from getting in the wrong hands. It’s wise to “audit” the level of knowledge and vigilance of your staff as well as the strength and health of your IT network–and make changes accordingly.

Keeping your network healthy is vital to the continued success of your business. For more assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

What Web Chat Can Do For Your Business

Web chat, also known as live chat, can help you communicate with your users and provide them with a positive customer experience. Providing live chat can lead to a 12% increase in conversions, and 63% of your users are likely to return to your website if they can chat with someone via your website for quick answers to their questions. Used in tandem with chatbots, live web chat can quickly answer questions during exceptionally busy times during the workday as well as after hours. When customers know they can always get answers from you, they will trust you and a stronger customer-business relationship will result. Even a small increase in customer retention can reap a sharp increase in profits. When customers share their experience with your brand with others via word of mouth and social media, you stand to gain more traffic on your website, more leads and more customers.

Considerations in Adopting Web Chat

Whether you adopt live chat, chatbots or both in tandem, will depend on your company’s needs. For small to medium-size businesses, chatbots can lower costs by reducing the need for live customer service departments. Chatbots can be programmed to simulate and process human  conversation, both spoken and written, but may not be able to address all scenarios. Whether chatbots are right for your company depends on what questions customers ask–complex or highly-nuanced questions may still need the human touch. Installation costs need to be considered as well; are they in your budget? 

Web chat can improve customer experience with its responsiveness, and enhance customer perception of your brand. To learn more about web chat, contact ClikCloud today.

Business Benefits of Internet Phone Service

While different providers offer different features and options, what they have in common is using modern cloud phone communications. With traditional phone lines, a company is charged for not just each (additional) line, but for the time spent on calls. A “virtual” phone uses VoiceOver Internet Protocol (VoIP), converting voice to data and transmitting this over a broadband Internet connection. Internet phones use an Internet connection via a router, to which additional lines can be added. The VoIP technology brings all the benefits of cloud computing–the provider manages the infrastructure and backend operations. The expenses of on-premise infrastructure and overhead are reduced, and the service is payable on a subscription basis. Internet-based phone services are perfect for remote work, since workers can communicate using an Internet connection, working anytime and anywhere.

Considerations for Using Virtual Phones

With the business benefits of VoIP phones, your company will need to consider how the technology will help you realize business goals. If you want to hire remote workers, for instance, you will need to make sure their devices (mobile phones, laptops) are secure when connected to your network. Also, is your network strong enough to handle broadband traffic? When choosing a service provider, it’s best to think of how features they offer will mesh with your needs. Finally, the security of your cloud service provider’s data centers needs to be considered; for instance, what are their encryption policies, and how does the provider deal with regulatory compliance?

By opting for virtual telephony, it’s possible for users to experience better call and video capability and for your company to enjoy cost savings. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Business Benefits of Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

Desktop as a Service, a cloud-based virtualization solution offers an Internet-based way to access cloud computing resources without having to maintain on-premise infrastructure and manage capital expense. With the cloud service provider handling the back-end infrastructure, your workers just need to access an Internet connection. Desktop as a Service uses a subscription-based billing model, charging just for what is used. Therefore, the capital expense of on-premise infrastructure is converted to a flexible operating expense. Speaking of flexibility, DaaS allows your organization to scale up and down in usage of computer resources – adding devices and users during busy seasons, and disconnecting as needed. With data at geographic data centers instead of on devices connected to the cloud, risk of data loss or compromise decreases. Finally, because of its ability to accommodate remote workers, DaaS is helpful to work anywhere, share applications and enable business continuity and disaster recovery efforts.

Considerations in Adopting Desktop as a Service

WIth all its benefits, certain questions remain to be answered. First, does your cloud service provider’s data centers strictly follow data handling regulations, including ones your company’s obliged to follow? Does the CSP take care of software needs, so that your workers don’t have to perform updates or download anything? How often do they perform data backups? These are just some of the questions to address with a prospective cloud service provider when discussing a service level agreement, or with your current provider when considering adopting DaaS. 

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is a secure, streamlined way to connect to the cloud and keep your business running efficiently. For further assistance with adoption of DaaS, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Benefits of a Customer Persona

Developing a clear picture of your ideal customer, going beyond mere demographic information, makes your marketing efforts easier. Rather than a vague idea, a customer persona can make that person real to you, and relatable. What are they looking for? Where are they in their customer journey? Maybe they’ve looked for a possible solution in other places but have not yet found it. For example, perhaps they are looking for a way to streamline their communications, with the intent to make customer service faster and more efficient. By finding out about who they are and what they want, you can examine what you provide and target your marketing.  If they are active on social media, you can connect with them on various platforms. Finally, clarity about your customer can help your organization become known as exceptionally customer-centric, which can only enhance your value.

Developing the Customer Persona

Information about your ideal customer is easy to find. Data sources include social media and LinkedIn analytics, as well as data from Google. What size businesses are looking for solutions your organization offers? What services do they provide to their customers? What social media posts get the most traffic (likes and comments)? Asking potential customers directly and in person using surveys, interviews and focus groups also helps you gather specific information about possible customers–including how they might perceive your business and others like it. Do they have any misperceptions or obstacles that you can overcome? As you connect with more possible buyers, your customer persona will likely become more clear. 

Developing a customer persona (or more than one) can be rewarding and even fun. For more assistance with this marketing step, contact ClikCloud today.

Cyber Resilience Involves People and Processes

Cyber resilience is more than just technological tools protecting your organization. Cybersecurity is part of it, but not all Cyber resilience has to do not just with preventing a cyber attack, but recovering from the damage and evaluating the response. This evaluation may include changes in policies and procedures. According to a CompTIA Community Blog post, people can be the most important asset in defending against – and  in some cases recovering from – a cyber attack. 

What Causes Cyber Attack?

According to statistics, more than 50% of cyber attacks and resulting data breaches stem from human error. Lack of training is a primary source of risk. Do employees know what to do if they get a phishing email? Do they know what one looks like? What are your workers’ skill sets, knowledge, levels of training? How well has your company defined processes for cyber security, disaster recovery, and monitoring? Though cyber resilience processes can be defined by executives, everyone plays a part in protecting your company.  

Performing a Cyber Resilience Assessment and Moving Forward 

While developing policies, processes and procedures can seem daunting, some resources can get you started. A good starting point is evaluating current defenses along with workers’ skills. The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides a framework for preparing your organization’s defenses, one that can be used by SMBs and MSPs alike. Small to medium-size businesses, along with their partners, don’t have to be alone in the fight against cybercrime. 

Frameworks for developing procedures, along with resources for training staff, can help your company prepare for and recover from cyber attack. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Start with Analyzing Your Company’s Risks

It used to be that companies just needed a firewall, some security patches and endpoint protection to protect digital assets. Nowadays, the secure perimeter is far outside company walls, with numerous endpoints connected to networks as employees work anywhere and everywhere. Events of the past few years have introduced new security challenges, including the uncertain security of network endpoints. More than tools, a comprehensive understanding of your firm’s risks and the consequences of these risks will help with security efforts. A good place to start is considering your company’s unique risk picture. What are your mission-critical data and applications, and what are the consequences of a data breach? Perhaps your business is subject to compliance regulations like HIPAA or PCI-DSS, or even GDPR. Financial and reputational consequences also exist, like the cost of downtime and  clients’ trust in you to keep their data safe. 

Multiple Layers Increase Security

A layered approach to security, more than any single technical tool, will help protect your company’s digital assets. Network monitoring is one such layer, showing both normal and suspicious activity. Multi-factor authentication protects your workers by keeping information out of the hands of attackers. Training your workers to spot phishing emails that can carry ransomware, and educating them in password maintenance, gives them the tools to keep bad actors out. Principles of zero trust, like identity access management and giving users the least access they need to perform functions, can also protect data and applications.

While there is no such thing as perfect cybersecurity, your business can take many steps to protect itself and keep running. For a risk assessment, contact your technology advisor today.

Why Publish a Newsletter?

You don’t need to spend a lot to get results from an email newsletter. Doing a newsletter provides a number of benefits. For instance, it can help keep top of mind with leads and prospects by generating awareness and additional marketing touches. Billions of people use email daily, and nearly 300 billion emails are sent daily on average. Potential readership, therefore, is broad, and a wide field of potential new customers exists. While email newsletters are inexpensive to publish, they do take a bit of planning, research and crafting content to be effective.

Quality Content is Always Key

When generating content, consider what you want potential customers to know about your business and what you have to offer. For example, one newsletter issue can include information about a new product or service, or promotional offer. Or you can share about a milestone in your company’s history. Other suggestions for material can be trends in your industry or your particular niche of that industry. Modes of content can include blog posts (syndicated content courtesy of ClikCloud), social media posts, and photos. You might also consider including testimonials from customers. All such content can direct traffic to your website and blog. Mobile optimization is important, making your content easy to see and interact with, and your newsletter should always have a polished appearance.

How Often to Publish

How often should you publish a newsletter, in order to engage your customers without overwhelming them? New content can be posted weekly (in fast-moving industries) or even monthly, with every two weeks a happy medium. Some customers may want content more often, and you can keep content in reserve to send them. Why not ask your customers how often they want new content, perhaps putting an interactive poll or  in your newsletter as a call to action.  Keeping a content calendar can be a helpful guide, so you neither bombard readers nor lose their interest. 

Publishing an email newsletter as part of your digital marketing toolkit is affordable and can reap big rewards. For additional assistance, contact ClikCloud today. 

The Vital Importance of Cybersecurity

The attacks just keep coming. In recent years, SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline are just a couple of well-known incidents. According to statistics, more than half of cyber attacks result from human error–weak or poorly managed passwords, susceptibility to phishing schemes, perhaps even ignorance of company policies and of best practices. The cost of attacks is supposed to continue increasing, to over $10 trillion by 2025. 

The Cybersecurity Conversation

It’s never too late–or too soon–to openly discuss cybersecurity in your organization. Your executives, both in your IT department and outside of it, can set the tone for your company’s cybersecurity culture. For example, sharing learning from past experiences can show your workers that anyone can learn from mistakes. More than technology and tools, cybersecurity training needs to be an integral part of company culture–it saves costs, preserves your company’s reputation, and keeps your company in business. You can freely discuss cybersecurity in team meetings and everyday work conversations. Ideally, this will get workers of teams talking about ways to keep your company safe and may reach the individual level, encouraging them to evaluate their cybersecurity savvy and improve it. Regular training and retraining should also be part of the organization’s culture of cybersecurity. Staging mock “phishing” attacks to test workers’ knowledge and ability to act, will help to make training concrete. This is where tools and technology can come in, providing engaging ways for workers to understand the importance of cybersecurity.

Clear Policies and Procedures

Having and clearly communicating policies and procedures helps all employees know what to do in case of emergency, and even how to avoid an emergency in the first place. Does everyone know what a phishing email looks like, and how to report one? Do they know to choose strong, hard-to-guess passwords, and change these passwords periodically? What’s the first thing they should do in a cyber attack? If everyone, from the top executive to the newest trainee, knows what to do, all contribute to the security of the organization. 

Establishing a culture of cybersecurity begins at the executive level. Establishing cybersecurity as part of your company’s philosophy, as well as clear policies and procedures, can help everyone understand their role in protecting company systems and data. For additional assistance, contact your technology provider today.

Tax Deductions for Technology Purchases

Your company may be considering what technological purchases to make in the near future. What if you could get the technology assets you need, while lightening your tax bill? According to the IRS tax code, Section 179, small to medium-sized businesses can deduct the entire purchase price of both new and used equipment from what they pay in taxes. To be eligible, the business must meet any one of three requirements. The business must be in operation, or set to start operating, and have purchased IT assets throughout the year. Types of purchases to which the deduction applies are on-premise improvements like security systems and security systems; devices like computers and laptops, tablets and phones; and software, servers and networking equipment. A business must earn no more than $2.5 million annually, as well as deploy the technology within the same tax year as purchased. Equipment purchases arising from an IT services contract can be deducted, but not the service itself. 

Business Benefits and Considerations

Who doesn’t want to pay less in taxes? Aside from this obvious benefit, the budgetary burden for purchasing even new equipment is lightened. Your company can perhaps even launch a new initiative like unified communications (allowing your company to be even more effective) while paying less for the equipment. That said, to get the deduction your company needs to deploy the equipment in the current year. What purchases can you make that will help reach business goals? Whatever technology you invest in, it needs to be in line with your objectives. 

Now is the time for considering your tech budget, and what purchases you plan to make. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

The Power of LinkedIn

More than likely, you’re on LinkedIn, and use it regularly to communicate with your connections. Sharing quality content that you’ve generated–website landing pages, blog posts, newsletters, perhaps even a video or podcast–may be something you do more or less regularly. Building your contact list can be a way of getting that quality content in front of new eyes. You never know the results you might get sharing on LinkedIn.

Build Your Contact List

You can build your contact list in a number of ways. Whenever you attend a networking event,  or talk about your business in a casual conversation, you can ask to connect with people on LinkedIn. When you do, re-introducing yourself and giving a context for the connection will smooth the way. Another way is building second- and even third-degree connections by exploring the connections of your own first-degree connections, looking for people who you may know, and who may even have expertise in your industry. Joining a group is yet another way to build your contact list, discover new content and even share your own. With all of these options for building your contacts, who needs pre-purchased email lists?

Provide Quality Content

It almost goes without saying that quality content is a keystone of digital marketing. What is quality content? One hallmark of good content is relevance. Does it answer a question or address an issue a customer needs to resolve? Is it written in an engaging way? Finally, a clear call to action will get your reader involved, whether by calling you, subscribing to your email newsletter, or sharing your content. Once you’ve developed your content, you can share it in a newsletter or right on LinkedIn, in your profile. More examples of good content include website landing pages, social media posts, and blog posts (with a link to your blog on your LinkedIn profile). To make it easier for your customers and prospects to access your content, be sure it is mobile-optimized to view on any device. 

LinkedIn can serve as a megaphone to get your content viewed more widely, and to get your company more customers. For more information on using LinkedIn for digital marketing, contact ClikCloud today.

Threat Intelligence, Defined

Threat intelligence is more than just a general knowledge of possible dangers to your network, but also about assessing your network’s vulnerabilities. Ransomware distributed via “phishing” emails along with advanced persistent attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) still strike organizations of all sizes. Microsoft defines threat intelligence as “information describing existing or potential threats to systems and users.” Threat intelligence is available from multiple sources, including written reports about bad actors and their tactics; specific observations of IP addresses, domains and other markers of suspicious activity; and open-source news feeds. While abundant information is easy to find, threat intelligence means analyzing and interpreting the information and how it corresponds to your own organization’s vulnerabilities. 

The Importance of Threat Intelligence

Knowing detailed information about threats seems self-explanatory. Companies continue to face existential threats to their networks, finances and reputations from attacks and data breaches. Bad actors are ever more clever, finding ways to disable your network via Advanced Persistent Attacks (APTs) such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). According to a CompTIA post, threat intelligence contains three phases. Strategic planning includes knowing general and specific threats to your business. The operational phase involves using the data you gain to assess what parts of your network are targets for specific threats as well as sharing this information with vendors and customers.  At the tactical level, you need to “think like a hacker” by analyzing forensic data from attacks or even reverse-engineering attacks like malware. Having a plan for threat intelligence, and practicing that plan, can help your company respond during a real attack.

How an ISAO Can Help with Threat Intelligence

A trusted resource for threat intelligence is an Information Sharing and Analysis Organization, or ISAO. Members of such an organization share threat information with other members, as well as vulnerabilities they’ve discovered. Membership to these organizations is often included in membership packages of other organizations like CompTIA. Governments, organizations of all sizes, and cybersecurity agencies worldwide exchange information in forums and groups. After the information is vetted, it’s shared through the ISAO. These inter-industry groups unite communities of interest rather than being limited with a single industry and aid organizations in the strategies and tactics of cybersecurity.

Threat intelligence means more than just general awareness of threats “out there,” but also involves analyzing the vulnerabilities of your organization.

Definition of Defense in Depth

Simply defined, defense-in-depth is a cybersecurity approach in which independent layers of controls are employed to build redundancy. If one control fails, another will take over. If an intrusion occurs, the bad actor can go only so far and will be dealt with before they cause serious harm. All the way from your perimeter to the most sensitive data at the core of operations, controls will keep your data and applications safe from loss and compromise. A first layer is detection, which catches anomalies and reports them to cybersecurity personnel, stopping them from intruding further into your network.

Evaluating Your Current Cybersecurity Posture

How do you know what an anomaly looks like, and whether it is a cyberattack in the making? Before making the transition to a multi-layered cybersecurity structure, knowing your current cybersecurity posture is important. One thing to consider is what a possible attack might look like. Viewing intelligence from past activity logs, especially when an intrusion occurred, should show you what unusual activity looks like. A next step is identifying your mission-critical data and applications, not to mention your most sensitive data, to determine which assets need the greatest protection and should be at the innermost layer of protection. Finally, what intrusion detection systems can you put in place to detect anomalies in usage?

Multiple Modes of Protection

A defense-in-depth system contains multiple defenses dedicated to controlling access to physical and data resources, as well as the resources themselves. Physical controls include security (say, at cloud data centers) and technical controls (firewalls and antivirus protection) defend the contents of physical systems. Administrative controls refer to policies and procedures for network security–for example, data-handling procedures and digital codes of conduct. Cybersecurity controls help maintain data integrity within a company’s network; examples of these protections include encryption at rest and encrypted backups offsite. Network monitoring of processes and of possible intrusion, along with endpoint protection, are yet more layers. 

Ideally, with defense-in-depth, you can protect your systems by using multiple tools that work better than any one tool by itself. For assistance with this approach, contact your technology advisor today.

Why You Need a Disaster Recovery Plan

A Disaster Recovery (DR) plan outlines how to protect your data and other technological assets during and after a disaster. Since data is the lifeblood of your business, a DR plan can make a difference between staying in business and having to close. In the shorter term, it can save you money that you might lose from an unacceptable amount of downtime. Costs can escalate to $100,000 per hour from an infrastructure failure, and a critical application failure can cost up to $1 million. Aside from financial damage, a data breach resulting from a disaster can cost a business its reputation. Apart from cyber threats that affect any organization, your location may be subject to natural hazards like fires, floods or earthquakes. Even equipment failures resulting in unacceptable downtime can be costly. 

Disaster Recovery is Part of an Overall Business Continuity Plan

While a Business Continuity (BC) is an overall plan for keeping your business going during and after a disaster, a Disaster Recovery plan deals with protecting your company’s data from loss and compromise. It’s a part of your overall BC plan, following from and supporting it, yet is distinct. A Business Impact Analysis is a good first step, helping you assess how much data you keep, which of it is mission-critical, and what data protection regulations apply. What is the least amount of downtime you can risk before experiencing unacceptable consequences (recovery point objective) and how long will it take to recover (recovery time objective)?

Risk analysis is just like it sounds, assessing which natural hazards can affect your area and what cyber threats exist both internally and externally. What if people have to work remotely, and how does that impact data protection? A big part of disaster recovery involves backup and failover, where you keep original data and how quickly your company can access it. The 3-2-1 rule applies–keep three copies of your data in two places, one of which is offsite. 

How Disaster Recovery as a Service Can Help

One key advantage to contracting with a cloud service provider is that they provide the infrastructure allowing you to back up data for failover, with reduced cost to you. Even with these benefits, you also need to ask about the provider’s reliability in meeting metrics like RPOs, RTOs, and others. Is their network robust enough to handle the needs of other clients dealing with a disaster at the same time? What’s more, your provider should be following the same data protection regulations that require your compliance.

As a subset of your Business Continuity plan, a disaster recovery plan helps protect your data from loss, theft or compromise. For help developing or fine-tuning your plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Maintain a Quality List

Ads abound for email lists that you can purchase, but how do you know those addresses are legitimate, and that your email won’t go into the recipient’s spam folder? Chances are, you won’t know who you are communicating with when buying a list. Isn’t it better to have a self-curated list with email addresses of people you know? The best email lists emphasize quality, not quantity, and contain addresses of people you know personally. A healthy, quality list of addresses will ensure your content will reach its target and not “bounce back”–or worse, go into the spam folder. Having your emails tagged as “spam” will make you seem less trustworthy. 

Make Sure Customer Data is Safe

Not only does having a quality email list represent your company well, but promotes trust. Do customers own their data and determine how it’s used? First, let customers know what you do with their data, and make sure it’s easy for them to opt-in, or opt-out. For example, including an “unsubscribe” button that’s easy to see makes it easier for your customer. Many regulations like GDPR require documentation of which recipients opt-in or opt-out. Following regulations applicable to your organization will go a long way toward implementing data safety practices.

Complying with Regulations

In the past few years, numerous data-safety regulations have come into being, with the intent of helping consumers take a proactive role in how their data is treated. Within the United States, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) was instituted in 2018. Companies with customers all over the world need to comply with GDPR (Global Data Protection Regulation), one of the most stringent. Regulations like PCI-DSS and HIPAA have been effective for quite a while. Depending on your business, you may be required to follow one or more of these regulations. One effective way of remaining in compliance is segmenting your overall email list, depending on which regulations apply to your subscribers. For instance, one segment might be for California subscribers and another for addresses in Europe. 

To keep your company and its brand trustworthy, following best practices for data protection and using a quality subscriber list will position you to keep customers’ data safe. To learn more about what steps to take for safeguarding customer data, contact ClikCloud today.

Rigorous Standards Aid Cybersecurity Efforts

Currently, new standards are being drawn up in the form of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, a Department of Defense program that applies to Defense Industrial Contractors and by extension to those businesses doing business with defense contractors. According to CISCO, the CMMC is designed as a unifying standard to ensure that contractors properly protect sensitive information. Three levels exist, with Level One containing seventeen practices to follow. Level 2 is more stringent, and Level Three is the highest. Domains within the model include Access Control, Identification and Authentication, Incident Response, Awareness and Training, among others. A few of these domains (like Identification and Authentication) could incorporate zero-trust, a paradigm gaining ground in the cybersecurity community. 

Considering Zero Trust as a Cybersecurity Model

“Trust, but verify” as the saying goes. However, in cybersecurity efforts it should be “Verify, then trust.” Zero-trust is the practice of identifying each request for access to the network, and authenticating or verifying the request as a prerequisite for access to systems. The zero-trust paradigm still is a work in progress, because it’s a different way of thinking about cybersecurity, one that includes all of the organization and influences workforce and workflow decisions. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification has the idea of zero-trust built in, and even aligning your cybersecurity efforts with the practices of the first level should help considerably.

CMMC’s Role in Cybersecurity and  Compliance

Even if your business does not work directly with Department of Defense contractors, you have good reason to model your cybersecurity and compliance efforts on CMMC’s standards for data protection and compliance. First, CMMC can fit within your current infrastructure and help you comply with already-applicable regulations like PCI-DSS or HIPAA. Second, If your business does any work with government contractors, your compliance will eventually be required to comply at one of the three levels. Following CMMC can help you keep your system safe by only allowing authorized entities to access your network (“zero-trust”), and protecting your data. All of the CMMC domains pertain to aspects of cybersecurity, and could make your cybersecurity and compliance efforts easier. 

Cybersecurity, once an additional IT component, is continually becoming integral to a company’s way of doing business. To learn more about how we can help you with your cybersecurity and compliance efforts, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Threat Awareness and Intelligence

Cyber attacks continue to occur, and to become more sophisticated. No longer coming just from lone hackers, attacks come through email and text (“phishing” and “smishing”, respectively). Supply chain attacks are also on the rise. The global cost of cyber incidents are about 6.1 trillion, far outstripping cybersecurity spending.   Often, cyber threats are viewed as something “outside” the organization. The tendency is to treat symptoms and not possible root causes like a lack of threat intelligence. How well do you know what threats like malware and ransomware could do to your business if you’re attacked? According to the 2022 State of Cybersecurity report, businesses are aware of threats, but are not necessarily looking within the organization for vulnerabilities. 

Cybersecurity Awareness Throughout Your Organization

More than simply a component of IT function, cybersecurity needs to become a business imperative, with deep awareness on the part of the C-suite and newest employees alike. For example, do your employees know how to recognize a phishing email designed to get them to give up confidential information? For managers, how does the adoption of new technology (along with the cybersecurity challenges it might represent) help with reaching business goals? Often, despite the tools to protect organizations and the money spent on cybersecurity, humans tend to be the weakest link due to lack of threat intelligence. To know your firm’s cybersecurity posture, a good place to start is an audit of your current protections and how well they defend against possible threats. Your primary business goals (including regulatory compliance and data handling) can be a good vantage point for evaluating your current cybersecurity picture and how to improve it.

Cybersecurity awareness and preparation is ideally a constant pursuit, rather than just once a year. For help in auditing your preparedness and formulating a response plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Quality Content is Essential

Just as a Managed Service Providers (MSP) clients want a significant return on investment for their digital spend, so do you. Digital marketing is a way to let your company shine, providing a positive user experience and thereby getting more customers and more revenue. Read on to learn about marketing your MSP and getting people to choose you. And a large part of your efforts begin with providing quality content. Your website, along with a blog and newsletter, should address how you uniquely answer your customers’ questions and address their pain points. It practically goes without saying that content should be well-written, engaging and professional in appearance.

Different kinds of content guide customers in their journey. When customers are first seeking an MSP, making your company easy to find is crucial. A profile on Google Business is a good start, and using on-page SEO can also boost your website to the top of search results. For leads looking to learn more about you, your website with its landing pages and your blog can showcase your unique value proposition in more detail.. Testimonials from other customers can serve to cement the decision, and your response to customer reviews can also put you in a good light. Social media provides a potential client to interact with you and observe how your company responds. 

Metrics: How You Know Your Digital Marketing is Working

How does an MSP know that it’s reaching customers effectively, in a positive way? Metrics, including number of calls made to your organization, increase in email subscribers and click-throughs, which landing pages garner the most traffic – all of these will show your efforts are working. Also, noting which blog and social media posts get the most comments will tell you what content is working for you. On the flip side, bounce rates will show how healthy your email list is and any “unsubscribes” will help you fine-tune your content.

As a Managed Service Provider, your company is in a prime position to gain the trust and business of clients–especially those with remote workers. For help in articulating and delivering your unique value proposition, contact ClikCloud today.

The Importance of an Incident Response Plan

An Incident Response Plan (IRP) shares a close connection to a Disaster Recovery Plan, in that it outlines a company’s response to a cyber attack that results in a data breach. An effective plan is a “combination of people, process and technology that is documented, tested and trained toward in the event of a security breach.” The primary goals of the IRP are to mitigate damage (to data, network, revenue and reputation) and to get your business back up and running as soon as possible. For this to happen, every worker needs to know their role and responsibilities, including the first thing to do if a data breach occurs. For example, a worker gets a suspicious email that might be a “phishing” attempt. Do they know who to report it to, and also not to click on suspicious links? Depending on the size of your company, you may have an in-house team, or the response may be distributed among more than one team, each in a different location. No matter which approach you use, your IRP will document how you plan to handle an emergency.

Practicing Your Plan

Documenting what your company plans to do to respond to a cyber incident is a great start. Your workers need to be trained and your plan tested, so you know how well it works. By staging a mock incident such as sending a fake phishing email or testing your backups, you can determine how well your workers respond, and whether they’re prepared. Rehearsing the process for responding needs to happen numerous times, so the proper response becomes automatic. Not only that, frequent testing will help you find any flaws or weak spots in your plan and correct them, thus fine-tuning your response. Both planned and unplanned drills will give a good picture of your preparation.

Having an IRP in place is just the beginning. Practice makes your IRP plan as strong as possible. For help with your plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Business Benefits of 5G Technology

While 5G will provide more streamlined and enjoyable experiences of non-business computing, the benefits to businesses of all sizes are even more exciting. The key questions about cellular coverage have always been about coverage, capacity and bandwidth. Is there a strong signal between the device and the cell tower? Can that tower handle traffic from multiple users at all times? Will data transfer be fast enough for requested services? The new generation of cellular technology aims to answer these questions.  Data that might have been lost due to latency will be easily captured, allowing sharper decision-making in real time. The higher broadband speeds (1-2 gigabytes-per-second downloads) will accommodate more traffic and facilitate uninterrupted communication. Companies can convert from a local cable/DSL internet connection to one powered by 5G. The technology will promote automation, leading to smart cities, wearable healthcare telemetry, and real-time management.

Progress Catching up to Hype

While this technology has wonderful potential, much still needs to be done. Since 2019, though, 5G has caught on with cellular technology, with some carriers providing 5G to their customers. Instead of larger cells that were a hallmark of previous generations of technology, 5G will require the building of numerous small cells. Such cells can be placed on light poles or on building rooftops.  Another decision relates to the spectrum used–whether high- mid- or low-band, and how large a block is owned in each market. Will the frequency travel far enough, and be able to penetrate buildings to allow workers to use the bandwidth? One source suggests using different frequencies in different areas (for example, high bandwidth in urban areas). The technology will be deployed in stages, in order to accommodate greater numbers of mobile, internet-connected devices. In the coming decade, 5G will become mainstream, and companies need to be sure their networks and employees are ready.

Is Your Company Ready for 5G? 

With so much data being generated, the question arises: how to protect it? Since more and more devices will be connected to 5G, the threat attack surface is expanded perhaps exponentially. Questions to consider include how to store the data generated, and keep it safe as well as in compliance with privacy regulations. Not only will the network need to be protected with monitoring and current definitions for malware and virus protection, but devices too. And workers will need to be trained (or need a refresher) on password policies. Finally, business networks need to be robust enough to handle the rapid bandwidth increase.

The fifth generation (5G) of cellular technology is exciting, and it will be interesting to see what the next few years bring. For guidance in your preparation for 5G, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

Consider Your Goals

A good first step in developing (or refining) your digital marketing strategy is considering broad business goals. Your website, newsletter, blog and social media serves as your company’s brand–who you are and what you offer. Besides branding, what are other specific business goals? For instance, do you want more revenue from existing customers? Do you want more new customers? Direct more traffic to your website? Having determined broad goals, you can then consider strategies to meet those goals, and specific ways to put your strategy into action. One way is to determine your ideal customer and target content to that customer.

Make Content a Cornerstone

Once you’ve found your ideal customer, consider what they need and want. What questions do they have that they need answered? Content that is relevant, timely and engaging will bring visitors to your website, blog and social media pages. You can use a blend of your own content and syndicated content from other sources. As always, include search engine optimization (SEO) keywords in heading lines and throughout your content so that your website will get a high ranking with search engines. Including a clear call to action will encourage your visitors to interact with you and become repeat visitors–and customers.

Metrics Help Gauge Your Success

Once you have developed and implemented your digital marketing strategy, how will you know it’s successful? If you want a 25% increase in website traffic, how do you know you’ve met that benchmark? Numerous metrics exist, such as organic versus paid traffic; new versus repeat visitors; which pages on your website get the most views; and how many visitors have subscribed to your newsletter. You can then assess how effectively your content has engaged customers. On the social media front, likes, comments and shares can tell you what content is getting noticed. You can also find out how many click-throughs you’re getting with your newsletter, and know that your content is read and appreciated.

With so many people online, you want your digital content to reach, engage and convert visitors, making them customers. For help with your strategy, contact us today.

Review Cybersecurity Policies and Procedures

One place to start evaluating your cybersecurity posture is reviewing your cybersecurity policy, which states not just your company’s stance on cybersecurity, but the ways you plan to keep your network secure and processes and procedures you will follow while pursuing business goals. A sound policy starts with general security expectations as well as roles and responsibilities within your organization. Once these are clear, more specific policies deal with  guidelines for antivirus software and use of cloud applications. Other specific elements include  how devices can and cannot be used, how the system can be securely accessed, and what will happen in the event of an attack, like one resulting from a phishing email.  Do workers know where and how to access the company network, and where not to? What are the processes for recovering from a disaster, and how will the business continue operating if one happens? These questions are just some of many to have a definite answer to, to be sure of your ability to keep your company secure.

Auditing Your Network

Do you know the security of your network, and all devices connected to it? Keeping a detailed asset inventory; records of all devices–their type, model, operating systems, which versions of software they have, and what they’re used for–is just the first step in securing them. And then, your workers may have their own devices, for which you need the same information. Are the software, operating system patches and antivirus/anti-malware definitions current? Does your network itself have these same protections? 

Take Stock of Protecting Your Data

Another key piece of the cybersecurity puzzle is data. Knowing where your data resides, how it’s classified, and its quality can help you protect it. Is there old data you’re keeping, that you no longer use, that if compromised, can result in fines and other penalties? How much data do you keep in the cloud, and what about your provider’s security and data centers? What data regulations is your business bound to comply with, to keep personal data secure? And where is your data backed up, to prevent its loss? Answering specific questions about the health of your data will help you maintain its security, and protect you from penalties resulting from data breaches.

If you want to be sure (not just assume) your business is secure, and prepare for cyber threats, contact us today. 

UCaaS and its Benefits

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is a way to integrate multiple modes of communication–voice telephony, video conferencing, email, chat and file sharing – without the need to maintain on-site infrastructure. In this cloud offering, the provider furnishes the infrastructure and data centers, helping clients to convert capital expense to more manageable operating expense. Users can move from one mode of communication to another and access information to serve customers more efficiently. With cloud’s scalability, resources can be provisioned as needed according to demand. Scalability allows users to be added and removed as needed. Even with little doubt about cloud’s benefits, considerations also exist.

Considerations in Using UCaaS

Even with numerous benefits, a company needs to consider its own network health as well as the strength of the provider’s network. Not only that, but especially the cybersecurity standards of potential providers needs evaluation. First of all, does your provider’s network have updated antivirus and anti-malware definitions, and operating system patches? Does it have sufficient bandwidth to handle high traffic volumes at peak periods of use? Does your company’s own end-user devices have protection from viruses and malware?  Even more important, do potential providers have certain cybersecurity measures in place?

What to Ask a UCaaS Provider

Adopting Unified Communications as a Service presents certain cybersecurity concerns. Data is one of the biggest; businesses are justifiably concerned about their data remaining protected, private and intact. With data from phone calls, web conferencing and other computing resources traveling via the internet, a company runs a greater risk of cyberattack. How can your company protect itself in the cloud? By asking questions of your provider or potential provider. One key concern is data encryption from the network to end-user devices, if it’s encrypted at rest and in transit. Are the provider’s anti-virus and anti-malware definitions current, along with operating system patches? A provider’s compliance with regulations is vital when your own company is subject to data-handling regulations like HIPAA or GDPR. Regarding access management, your company having strong password practices and multi-factor authentication is a good start. and you can build on this with identity and access management tools from the provider. Users will have as much access to computing resources as needed while still keeping your organization’s data safe.

Adopting Unified Communications as a Service can be both rewarding and challenging. To get started, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Why Blog?

Blogging is a way of sharing relevant and timely content with your customers (and prospective customers). Not only that, it can maximize engagement and lead to more click-throughs. An ideal blog post is about 300 words, addressing readers’ questions, or telling a story about how you can help them.  Not only are you sharing your company’s story, but by weaving key words and phrases into the content, you have a chance to rank higher on search engines like Google and reach even more readers. Also, including a strong headline, images, and tags that allow people to search for and find your blog, will help get your company more exposure. With expertise, you can also add video blog posts, with keywords as tags. Including syndicated blog content (such as from ClikCloud)

When and Where to Share Content

Blog content should be frequently updated, and keeping a content calendar can help you reach that goal. It’s a good idea to set up a schedule for posting (every week, or every two weeks), and  it helps to have ideas on hand for the future. Publishing quality content regularly helps you  stay top-of-mind with readers. Not only can you have the blog as part of your website, you can share it and each new post on social media. This will get the attention of those on social media who may not already know about your company. An email newsletter is another ideal vehicle for your blog content, and quality content along with a “subscribe” button can bring in new followers.

Providing quality content by blogging can help maximize your company’s engagement with current and future customers, and even elevate your company’s site in search engine rankings. For help with this key part of digital marketing, contact ClikCloud today.

The Benefits of Desktop as a Service

First of all, what is Desktop as a service? It is a cloud computing offering in which a third-party provider, such as Microsoft or Google provides virtual desktops via an Internet connection. The provider manages backed equipment and processes(servers, databases, etc.), taking that responsibility off the client’s hands. Small to medium-sized businesses wanting flexible, scalable and secure computing pay a periodic subscription-based amount based on the computing resources used. Desktop as a Service is flexible because users are provided an up-to-date operating system and productivity applications on log in. What’s more, companies can access a virtual desktop remotely and share applications and their data with other employees without effort.  

Business Advantages of Desktop as a Service

Desktop as a Service first of all offers the primary benefit of having a provider manage and maintain the operating system and applications, along with software and security updates. All that your company needs is an internet connection to enjoy the benefits of virtual desktops. Computing resources available from anywhere, anytime. Resources can be scaled up and down according to demand, and number of users; users can be added individually without the company having to buy licenses up front and in bulk. 

For example, businesses with call centers can easily deploy or decommission machines for adjustments in seasonal demand. Even companies with legacy systems can use desktop as a service, giving their machines more life by putting the DaaS operating system on the current machines. Or else, they can move a legacy system to the cloud. Security is also enhanced, even with remote users connected, because of full encryption at the browser level and data and applications staying in the cloud. Business continuity also is easier, because outsourcing the security functions can help safeguard data from potential loss in a disaster. All this, for a flexible subscription-based price per month or per year. 

While Cloud service providers offer varying levels of analytics, data storage and other features for desktop as a service, they can help your company experience the flexibility, scalability and security associated with cloud computing. For help in evaluating your company’s needs, contact your trusted technology advisor today. 

The Need for Zero Trust

With innovations like cloud computing come issues involved in protecting digital assets (data, applications, and more). More devices connected to the cloud (via the Internet) and also to business networks, causes the attack surface to expand. No longer can businesses assume that the security perimeter exists within company boundaries. People can connect anywhere, anytime, with the surge in remote work during the last couple of years. “Zero trust” is a way of verifying each and every request for access, and is vital to protecting a company’s digital assets. With millions of dollars and weeks of time needed to heal a breach, zero trust can save your company money, time and even reputation. 

Principles of Zero Trust

According to the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency article, zero trust is “access to an information resource (data, applications, services) for a specified period of time, with the least possible privileges.” A primary principle of zero trust is verifying each and every access request. Questions asked involve the identity of the request, the health of the device the request comes from, and the role of the entity requesting access–so you know who’s trying to access your network.  Even legitimate actors are asked to go an extra step, providing a one-time code, for example. This multi-factor authentication is a good first step toward zero-trust. Even after verification, users may be allowed access only to certain parts of the network (least possible privilege), in order to carry out their duties. These multiple, granular verifications have the additional benefit of gathering intelligence about requests to the network, in order to detect anomalies and possible intrusions by malicious actors.

Zero trust, even with its suspicious connotation, may be what companies need in order to protect their networks against cyber attack. For help setting up zero trust for your organization, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Start with the Basics

Google Business Profiles are free to use, and getting started is easy. As long as your business interacts with customers in person, delivers goods and/or services in person, or does a combination of these, you can start your Google Business profile. Include basic information like business name, address and phone number. To that, you can add products and/or services, open hours, company news and photos. You can even write posts like you’d share on social media. Content should be refreshed regularly; this will keep customers coming back and will help your search engine optimization results, too. Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) can give visitors quick answers to their questions. Any and all quality content will help boost your search engine optimization results.

Boosting Your Profile’s Search Engine Optimization Ranking

By providing quality, optimized content, your profile will rank highly in local searches and map listings, bringing your business more traffic. Beyond the basics of NAP (name, address and phone number) and their consistency across web directories, positive reviews will help elevate your ranking. Even a negative review, handled well, will show how well you serve your customers–and the negative might just change to a positive. Optimized photos (with alt text, titles, captions and geotags) can also help you get a higher rating. Finally, metrics are provided to show how your profile is performing on key performance indicators like phone calls and clicks to your website.

Getting a Google Business Profile is just the beginning–an important one. For help with improving and optimizing your profile, contact us today.

Cloud Computing Offers Benefits and Raises Questions

Cloud computing is often a good way to reduce infrastructure costs by accessing computing resources remotely over the Internet. Thus, a company can leave the infrastructure and its maintenance to a provider, and pay according to resources used. Depending on the service levels, some responsibility for data management may fall on your business. This provides flexibility for you and shares the responsibility with you. 

According to a CompTIA guide for cloud security, recent data incidents have drawn attention especially to how a CSP handles data. But amazingly, not that many companies—small to medium-sized businesses among them—do a “deep dive” in researching a provider.  Commonly, company executives worry most about system outages and data breaches, which are concerns. However, with the amount of data generated by businesses, there are also the issues of data integrity, regulatory compliance, and disaster recovery. 

Considerations for Cloud Security

A key consideration for cloud security starts with the understanding of your service level agreement (SLA). For example, you may want to keep an archive of your email for compliance reasons; if so, ensure that is included in your SLA.  Additionally, you may want to ensure that your critical confidential and personally identifying information like bank account numbers, names and addresses and Social Security numbers are kept safe to avoid fines and loss of reputation; this may be done through encryption of the data. Some responsibility may rest on your shoulders; how long should you keep data, and how will it be disposed of?  

Your data is too critical not to be protected. For more guidance about what to discuss with a prospective provider, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Benefits of Protecting Data

Your company has many reasons to protect its data. For one thing, cyber criminals are waiting to get company data they can exploit, to put on the dark web or to design social engineering schemes. What if employee data was exposed, and used to compromise your company’s reputation, or the reputations of your customers? If a nonprofit’s donor data was leaked, their reputation would be damaged and they might even have to close. Businesses subject to data compliance regulations like HIPAA or GDPR have to pay fines for data breaches, and sustain loss of reputation as well–both things that safeguarding data can help avoid. 

How to Safeguard Your Company’s Data

What are things a business can do to safeguard their data? First off, a company can consistently inventory its data, disposing of content it no longer needs. Along with this practice, not saving old data in general keeps exposure risks to a minimum. Instead of keeping data on multiple servers on the premises, look to secure remote data storage to keep it safe in one place. Doing a data inventory also helps you discover what personally identifying information (Social Security numbers, birthdates) or financial (credit card numbers or electronic payment numbers) is on their computers. 

Having a structure for managing and using data will bring your business multiple benefits. For help with setting up your company’s policies and procedures for using and storing data, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Build Your Profile

A good starting point is building your personal profile along with your company’s profile. A profile on LinkedIn shows others who you are, your brand, and your place in your industry. Starting with the summary section, you can share the story of your business and what makes it unique.  But don’t stop there–ideas for content include videos, infographics, photos, articles, and blog content from your website. Naturally, all content should be well-written and free of errors, and videos and photos formatted for display on all devices. Adding a professional photo of yourself can increase your chances of getting noticed; according to a LinkedIn article, profiles with photos get more connection requests, profile views, and messages. 

Build Your Connections

Once you have your summary section complete, and your content prepared, you can seek out connections within and outside your industry. Such connections can include present and past coworkers, associates in networking groups, vendors and suppliers, and customers. Start slowly, focusing on quality over quantity. Once you start adding connections, you will receive prompts for additional connections–perhaps even that “dream client” you’ve always wanted to work with. Commenting on others’ content will help boost your visibility, too. When adding connections of your connections, including a brief note of introduction and purpose can help you break the ice. This, as well as joining groups, is a good way to leverage your contacts and expand your reach.

Join and Participate in Groups

Groups for industries and common interests abound on LinkedIn, and joining one can help build your presence.  Groups are conversational and collaborative, and provide valuable input like ideas for handling common business problems. More than that, group membership increases your trustworthiness, showing your willingness to interact with and help others. Not only can you receive valuable input, you can share your own experience and insight with others.

LinkedIn is a valuable resource for networking, expanding your visibility and reach. For help with amplifying your LinkedIn presence and your marketing reach, contact ClikCloud today.

Why Zero Trust is Important Now

In recent decades–especially the last two years since work went remote–more users are connected to business networks and other Cloud services. With the “perimeter” now outside the traditional office, more care is necessary to grant access only to legitimate users. With more devices connected, data and applications are available to more people. In the zero-trust model, no individual is assumed to be trustworthy simply by being part of the organization. And that begs the question of who is a legitimate user.

Zero Trust Defined

Zero-trust is a cybersecurity posture that assumes that any user seeking to access the system could be a bad actor. Organizations using a zero-trust architecture have set up various criteria to determine that the entity (a device or a person) seeking access is entitled to it. Not only that, but depending on the location of the device and the role of the person using it, access can be limited to the computing resources needed for that person’s function. A common practice used in zero-trust is multi-factor authentication. After giving their password, a user performs an additional step, like submitting a one-time code. 

The Why of Zero Trust

The “why” of zero trust comes from so many more devices connected to business networks and the Internet, as well as the growth of cloud solutions. Cyberattacks have become ever more frequent, and businesses need a way to verify the validity of access requests. Besides this, once the business has the criteria set up to determine legitimate activity, it is better able to spot suspicious activity. With other cybersecurity practices and tools, zero trust is yet another way to secure your company’s network. 

Naturally, companies want their systems, data and applications to be as secure as possible. For help with setting up a zero-trust environment, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

CISA and Your Company

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a part of the United States’ Department of Homeland Security, leads the nation’s work in protecting the cybersecurity ecosystem, and helps protect critical resources undergirding American society. It helps organizations “prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the impact of cyberattacks.” Even in times of relative peace, bad actors still attempt to breach the cyber defenses of businesses of all sizes. Small and medium-size businesses are often particularly targeted, since attackers know they may not have the same level of security as a government agency or large corporation. In addition, they also target managed service providers, to whom small to medium-size businesses outsource their infrastructure. However, when MSPs and SMB’s work together, and enlist the help of the CISA, they can put up a strong shield against cyberattack.

Partner With Your Technology Advisor

To lower risk, consider implementing robust network monitoring and work with clients to ensure that the infrastructure is monitored and well-maintained. While you can play a role by assessing your own risks you can also work with your technology advisor to mitigate those risks. Require multi-factor authentication for everyone accessing the network, update software and operating systems, and perform continuous backup of critical data and systems, among other practices. Remember, if and when a cyberattack occurs, the affected party should submit information about the incident (including nature and severity) to CISA, which will analyze the attack and share incident information with other entities. By doing so, they can discover trends in malicious activity, and help many companies stay safe.

Everyone plays a part in developing and maintaining a strong cyber shield. For help with your cybersecurity plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Begin and Maintaining a Quality Subscriber List

It goes almost without saying that you have content you want to share, probably via a regular email newsletter. How is your list? Does it contain emails for people you’ve met while doing business? The best email list consists of people you’ve interacted with, instead of questionable addresses from a purchased list. Purchased lists might be filled with incorrect or out of date addresses, resulting in “bounces” (returned emails) or in the message being put in spam folders. Quality content, delivered to valid email addresses, can get you opens and click-throughs, showing you that readers are engaging with your content. Another practice to keep your list healthy is going through it regularly to delete any addresses that are out of date or from recipients who have unsubscribed (it happens). Keeping your email list healthy and emphasizing quality over quantity will also help your company comply with data protection regulations.

Maintain Compliance with Data Regulations

Even if your company is based in the United States, some of your workers and contacts might be in Europe. In this case, you will need to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Passed in May of 2018, GDPR requires proof of consent of your recipients to receive content, and requires strict protection of customer data. In the United States, the CCPA regulates the storage and use of personal data. Maintaining your email contacts list with people you know, instead of buying premade lists, will help you be certain to be in compliance with any regulations.

Even if you don’t yet have an extensive contact list, it is important to keep it in good shape. For assistance with your email list, contact us today. 

Advantages of Unified Communications

With the surge in remote work of the last two years, integrating separate modes of communication (IP telephony, video and web conferencing and applications like CRM and file sharing) has become even more popular. Unified Communications, an internet-based way of provisioning computing resources, can bring together the various ways that workers communicate, allowing them to move back and forth between phone, email, and more. Your company can give its customers even more value by answering their questions quickly, and your employees can work even more flexibly. If a disaster occurs and your office is closed, phone and email traffic can be redirected so your company can still respond to customers. With Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), the provider handles the infrastructure and saves your business the cost of managing on-premise hardware and servers.

Questions to Ask a UCaaS Provider

With all the benefits that Unified Communications provides, adoption is a significant undertaking. Consider first the health of your computer network, if it has enough broadband and can support Unified Communications. Along with strength, your network should be secure, with the latest antivirus and anti-malware definitions and operating systems patches. Having software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) can help keep traffic moving quickly. Another concern is security of data; does your provider encrypt data both in transit and at rest? How secure are their data centers, and what features do the data centers have for maintenance of their systems? All of these are matters to consider when your company is considering Unified Communications.

Unified Communications, and Unified Communications as a Service, is an efficient, cost-effective way to keep your company connected to customers and vendors, and for your workers to communicate and collaborate. For more assistance in considering UC, contact your technology provider today. 

Understanding the Threat Landscape

According to a CompTIA article, Russian cyberattacks have increased in recent years. With the recent invasion of Ukraine, more are expected. Just recently, 74% of ransomware payments have gone to Russian actors. Cyberattacks can include malware, malicious software that can enter your system through a phishing email; ransomware, a particular type of ransomware that locks up a company’s data until the company can pay a large amount for its recovery; and distributed denial of service attacks, wherein a network is flooded with traffic from numerous computers. All of these types of attacks can result in downtime, depriving your company of revenue and putting your reputation at risk. What can your company do in the face of a seemingly inevitable attack?

Protecting Your Company from Cyber Threats

Cybersecurity involves numerous components related to people, processes and technology. Not only does a company need to maintain current anti-malware and antivirus protection and operating system patches, it needs to have an incident response plan in case of a major attack. This type of plan contains multiple stages and the initial stage of preparation can go a long way toward preventing and mitigating an attack. When drawing up your company’s plan, considerations include what will be done first in the event of an attack; where you will store data to keep it safe and allow your company to resume business; and what your communications team will share with customers, employees and the public. And how will you test your plan? A practice called “wargaming” will take your company through the stages of your plan. Once completed, the results can be analyzed and your plan fine-tuned to address any weaknesses.

Whatever the motives of cybercriminals attacks will happen; it’s a matter of when, not if. To ensure your business is prepared, contact us today.

What Clikcloud Offers

With ClikCloud, you can schedule a free 30-minute website review, to ensure that your website gets the positive attention it deserves, and get your business leads and conversions. To start with, we can give insights on responsive website design. Is your website mobile optimized? That is, is it easily viewable and navigable on any device, so that visitors can interact with it on the go? Are buttons easily clicked so that a reader can respond to your call-to-action? Are videos and photos sized properly? We will also give you feedback on your landing page, that place on your website that visitors are directed to when they click on a link in an email or a search engine result. This should include a clear call-to-action, what you want your visitor to do (like subscribe to your email newsletter). If you place ads on your landing page, are they in line with your company’s message? 

The review includes assessing the effectiveness of your chat and messaging applications, if they are easy and enjoyable to use. How well does chat convert leads to customers? Then there is that critically important content, especially when you’re using that content to get customers. You will learn ways to improve your content as well as how to use search engine optimization (SEO), weaving keywords into your content so that your website is at the top of search engine results. Finally, we can help you tailor your website’s call to action, one that motivates visitors to take action and engage with your business.

Your company’s website is your virtual storefront–don’t you want it to be attractive and compelling, prompting conversions? For a free website review, contact us today.

Threats to Watch For

According to a 2021 report from CompTIA, small to medium-size businesses (SMBs), are the targets of 43% of cyberattacks, yet 70% are unprepared. What can be done to change that balance? Threats range from attacks on the cloud to social engineering (such as phishing) attacks that can introduce malware, including ransomware, into a company’s system. These attacks can result in loss of money due to downtime along with fines for regulatory noncompliance; loss of data to ransomware and malware, due to theft and/or compromise; and loss of trust and reputation if clients and other parties can’t trust your business to keep their data safe. Yet what all these statistics and consequences can do is strengthen a company’s  resolve to protect itself from cyberattack.

Keeping Your Business Safe

Many tools are available for protection from cyberattacks, and your workers are among the most important. A business still needs to maintain current anti-virus and anti-malware definitions along with the most current operating system patches to protect its network. When using the cloud, encryption of data both in-transit and at rest keeps it safe from loss or compromise. All these safeguards are essential, though they are just part of a plan. When employees are properly trained in cybersecurity policies and best practices, they can stop intrusions of malware. When workers implement strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, they can protect the entire network. By knowing what a phishing email looks like, they can keep from clicking malicious links and outsmarting social engineering attacks designed to introduce malware. 

While cyberattacks are always increasing, there are ways to keep your business, its assets and its reputation safe. For help in developing a plan, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Benefits of UCaaS over Conventional Unified Communications

Though Unified Communications has existed for at least ten years, businesses used to have to keep their data and servers on-premise, resulting in a burdensome capital expense. Some years ago, the development of cloud computing allowed companies to outsource infrastructure to a third party, converting it to a more budget-friendly operating expense. With Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), they can now scale up and down on use of computing resources in keeping with demand or new technological initiatives. Providers have furnished the infrastructure including servers and data centers; all the users need is an Internet connection. The unification of numerous communication channels including telephony and web conferencing, and applications like customer relationship management makes it easy for workers to interact with each other and serve customers efficiently–anytime and anywhere. 

What to Consider When Adopting UCaaS

No doubt the combination of Unified Communications and cloud computing is beneficial to your company and its technology budget. Even with that bright picture, businesses may still have questions. One key question to consider is how UCaaS will align with your company goals, and what problems it will solve. What about security, including encryption of data? How easy are the tools to learn, and does the provider offer support ranging from simple questions to help in emergencies? These are just a few questions to discuss with a potential cloud service provider.

Unified Communications alone has helped companies with communication and collaboration; when paired with the cloud, it can help your company become even more effective while controlling technology spend. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.   

Harnessing Technology to Better Reach Customers

Many companies expect Chat technology to play a key role in a personalized, interactive experience. Chatbots, a technology powered by artificial intelligence, are becoming more like human interaction, allowing customers to ask questions based on their needs, and allowing the company to interact with customers in a personal way. Chatbots, programs that perform automatic repetitive tasks on a website, can help not only answer questions from consumers but also direct the customer toward solutions on the website. This can even lead to customers purchasing goods and/or services; chatbots can help your company get organic results and manage web traffic, accomplishing some of your digital marketing efforts for you. Experts say, this automation yields 89% more conversions while costing 41% less per lead than for businesses not using the technology. Another technological tool, voice search, will continue to grow. For example, some platforms  help the customer look up basic information and schedule tasks, even use keywords to interact with devices. As always, how the tools are used is just as important as the tools themselves.

The Human Touch is Still Essential

While chatbots and voice searches are excellent for attracting and managing website traffic, they can only help support the effort companies have already invested in generating quality content and knowing their ideal customer. Having established an ideal customer profile, for example, can help companies personalize their marketing to that customer, offering appealing choices. Instead of simply putting out ads out there, digital marketing will be more about  interacting with customers and providing value. Use of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram will still continue to evolve, with these platforms offering new features for personally engaging customers. Strategists will need to know how social media algorithms work, tailoring content and directing marketing spend effectively, not to mention being able to pivot in the future. 

Digital marketing trends, now and in the future, involve technical tools along with strategy and effort. For help in developing a plan to take advantage of coming trends, contact ClikCloud today.

Trends in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing, and the spending on it, continues to grow. An article from CompTIA predicted that spending on Software as a Service (SaaS) will reach more than $145 billion in 2022. Interestingly, many businesses show an appetite for public cloud computing. Benefits of cloud computing in general, are the ability to access computing resources over the Internet; infrastructure management by the cloud service provider (CSP) removing the necessity for on-premise infrastructure; the ability to scale resources for varying demand; and the ability to manage costs using a subscription model. Public cloud computing offers these benefits, along with numerous data centers. If one center goes offline, another will pick up the traffic.  The rise in demand for public cloud services also offers opportunities for managed service providers to transition to provide more of those services; with this opportunity for growth will come the need for retraining of staff to provide such services.

Considerations in Choosing a Cloud Deployment

With its benefits, deployment options, and delivery models, cloud computing requires considerations before adoption. When choosing a deployment option, consider your company’s needs before choosing. Public cloud is shared by multiple tenants, and careful attention needs to be paid to security. Since public cloud is expected to be popular, according to CompTIA, security will need to be a key consideration. Additionally, trends predict a change in focus from device security to habits of end users. This brings up the need for training (or retraining) in policies and best practices in cybersecurity. Breaches are still expected to occur, though training hopefully minimizes cyber attacks and the resulting damage. 

Options for Cloud Deployment

There are many options allowing your business to take full advantage of the Cloud.  Desktop as a Service (DaaS) provides remote employees access to a reliable, secure computing environment with access to critical applications from multiple locations or while working from home.  Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) lifts workloads, such as legacy applications, to the Cloud for “work from anywhere” access.  Many Software as a Service (SaaS) applications can modernize your business with the latest functionality for most business processes.

Whichever cloud options you choose, your company will need to evaluate how well it meets your needs. For assistance in choosing the best cloud option for your business, contact us today. 

The Importance of a Disaster Recovery Plan

Having a detailed disaster recovery plan (DR) for how to proceed during a disaster can make the difference in how well your company recovers, helping you avoid costly downtime and even fines for failure to comply with industry regulations. With this detailed, written plan in effect, your company can stay running, or get back to running, as soon as possible–protecting you from the loss of revenue and reputation resulting from an extended outage or data breach.

Key Metrics for a Disaster Recovery Plan

According to an article from CompTIA, two key metrics will help you draw up a plan to recover from a disaster, either natural or man-made. The Recovery Point Objective (RPO) defines how much data or service time can be lost before consequences become unacceptable. This objective should be considered ahead of time. For example, what outage duration is acceptable before legal and financial consequences become a reality? How much data can you afford to risk losing? The RPO will determine how often you backup your data, for instance. As far as data goes, what is mission-critical and what can you back up less frequently? With data, sometimes minutes matter, otherwise daily backups are ok. While related to RPO, Recovery Time Objective (RTO) sets the clock once an incident occurs. Do you know what procedures to follow in the event of a cyber attack or other data loss, to get the system back up? These two metrics both have bearing on issues like regulatory compliance, financial cost of loss of data and/or services, and cost of solutions to any problems resulting from a disaster.

A disaster recovery plan, carefully considered and executed, can make a difference in your company’s ability to bounce back after a natural, technological or man-made disaster. For help with your plan, contact us today.

Consider Your Marketing Goals

Much depends on the size of your company and on your company’s goals. Small to medium size businesses (SMBs) with limited marketing staff may need to outsource portions of digital marketing like content generation and search engine optimization (SEO). An ad application can help you reach additional customers, and you’ll need to consider how much to pay per click to generate that additional traffic. Search engine optimization (SEO) is another way to get noticed; SEO done well can boost your website to the top page of search results. And don’t forget email newsletters, which can help keep your customers current on company news. Depending on the talents of your staff, this can possibly be done in-house; on the other hand, you may need to hire outside help and budget for that spend. 

Consider a Marketing Audit

Sometimes it’s a good idea to look at the past to learn where to best direct your money and your efforts. An audit can help you assess past efforts, those that worked well and those that didn’t.  According to Smart Insights, it’s best to spend 7-15% of your total revenue on digital marketing, with 9-10% being a “sweet spot.” How have you allocated your total spending in the past, and how well does it work with current and future goals? 

New Ideas for Improving Digital Marketing

While using keywords in your blog posts is free, you might consider increasing your SEO strength by purchasing tools and services that boost your efforts. A professional SEO audit can be worthwhile, helping you learn how your company is doing currently and how to improve your efforts. Tools for automatically personalizing your on-page content are also available. Current staff can be further trained in SEO and content generation; your training budget may need another look.

To consider the future, looking at current and past efforts is worthwhile. To learn how to direct your spending and get the best return on investment (ROI), contact ClikCloud today.

Incident Response Plans Defined

An Incident Response Plan is what it sounds like, having a plan to respond to a cyber attack incident and mitigate the damage. An effective plan is a “combination of people, process and technology that is documented, tested and trained toward in the event of a security breach.” The purpose of it is to mitigate damage (data and money loss) and restore operations. The National Institute of Standards in Technology (NIST) sets forth a few models for your plan, whether it will be handled by a central Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), distributed among multiple response teams for locations or departments, or one in which a central body relays response plans to affected teams. While plans contain four phases, the first one of preparation can help prevent a lot of damage.

Steps in the Incident Response Plan 

Does everyone in your company know what to do first when a cyber attack hits? Do they know whether to power off their computers, and how soon they can resume work? What will managers do? Does your marketing team know who to communicate with, and when? These are just a few of the questions to address when considering your plan. Often the first step is mitigation, and your staff should know what to do. Whether you need to report data loss or remediate ransomware it is imported to be prepared

Crisis Communications

Communicating about the incident is another aspect of the plan; determining when to communicate, who will communicate and how to communicate should be considered in advance for likely scenarios. Having communications templates at hand may shorten the response time and ensure your message is on point. Knowing who is responsible for communications can free up valuable technical resources that may be focused on remediation vs. response.

Practicing Your Plan

If experience is the best teacher, how does a company gain experience short of a cyber attack? With “wargaming,” the incident response team can take employees through all stages of the response plan by staging a mock attack–a ransomware attack, for example. To start with, everyone should know what to do first when facing a threat. An important part of this testing is analyzing your company’s response, what went right and what needs improvement. 

Having a well drafted, tested plan in place goes far toward mitigating the damage from a cyber attack. For assistance in developing your plan, contact us today.

Training Starts but Doesn’t End at Onboarding

Training is common when onboarding new employees, but it should also be consistent and frequent. Employees should know how to recognize a phishing email, a common way that malware can enter your computer network. Bad actors send emails that appear to be legitimate, in order to obtain confidential information. Keys to a phishing email are an urgent and emotional call-to-action, unknown senders, and grammar and spelling errors. Not only do your workers need to recognize suspicious activity, but how to report and even escalate the matter. Workers also need to remember best practices for password management. All cybersecurity training needs to be frequent and consistent in order to reinforce the lessons and practices learned and make them automatic. Thus your employees can become “minimal risk,” possessing a sense of safe and unsafe behaviors and knowing what to do when something happens. With employees working remote, online cybersecurity options provide an economical and efficient way to train on this topic. Many online training platforms offer phishing simulation to ensure learning objectives are achieved. 

Best Practices in Password Management

Let’s talk about passwords. Do your employees know what makes a good password? According to Google, a strong password can help safeguard your account, personal information and content like email and other applications. Best practices for strong passwords include choosing a unique, never-before-used combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. Passwords should be safeguarded, not shared with anyone else, and managed, perhaps using a password tool. Passwords need to be changed regularly, every three months. The same interval is good for system login and applications like email marketing and customer relationship management.

Keeping your network and its data and applications safe from attack is a company-wide effort. Trained well, your employees can become your best defense, rather than a weak link. For further assistance, contact us today.

The Importance of Digital Marketing

The purpose of digital marketing, in a nutshell, is to let customers know you have answers to their problems and questions. The majority of customers, when searching for a provider, visit around seven different websites. They are looking for a company that not only understands their problem and their pain points, but can solve them. Digital marketing, including your website, content, social media presence and your ranking in search results, can differentiate you from your competition. Also, make it easy to reach you by prominently displaying  your phone number and other contact information. According to CompTIA’s SMB Tracker in 2021, nearly half of small to medium-size businesses use an MSP, and 35% are considering hiring one. Using an agent or other provider to good advantage can save a company up to 45%. Any company that markets itself online makes it easy for customers to find and interact with them. 

Start With Quality Content

Whatever types of content you develop, it needs to be relevant to your customers’ experience. Some will be in the beginning stages of considering an MSP, and your company can make itself visible in the top search results in a few different ways. Within your landing pages and blog posts, an easy way to get indexed in search results is by including SEO (search engine optimization) keywords in relevant, engaging content. Once prospects find your website, making it easy to get in touch with you is crucial; having a “Contact Us” page is a good first step. During the evaluation phase, detailed information about your services (your unique value proposition) is part of what differentiates your company from the competition. Reviews and testimonials can cement their decision, making your company the one they choose. Social media presence can make it easy and enjoyable for customers to interact with you. 

The Importance of Metrics 

How do you know your digital marketing is getting the results you want? Metrics and analytics applications are available that tell you which emails are getting leads, what content is getting you phone calls, and which website pages get the most traffic. With this data in hand, you can then assess the success of your efforts, and fine tune your processes for the most optimal results.

Outsource When Needed

It goes without saying that companies are busy, and may not have the time to develop and implement a marketing strategy. According to the CompTIA article, it can help to outsource to a marketing firm. Such a firm can meet with a company and learn its goals, and then implement those goals and also help with analytics. Thus, a company can meet all its goals more easily.

Digital marketing is key for firms looking to get leads and turn leads into customers. For assistance with your digital marketing strategy, contact ClikCloud today.

Focus on Strategy and Transformation

Let’s face it, the last year and a half has been challenging. The work-at-the-office paradigm that many were used to has likely changed permanently. Remote workers, as well as creating more “nodes on the network,” have changed expectations; will some ever want to come back to the office, or stay remote? Managed services may be counting on remote work to stay popular, and to provide companies with network assistance, shown by a CAGR prediction of 7.9% ($355 billion) by 2026, according to IDC.In 2022, companies are expecting to move out of the tactical approach of just staying in business, and to start dusting off digital transformation projects that they couldn’t think of before, considering innovation and collaboration.  The technology industry is expected to increase to $5.3 trillion in 2022, with a year-over-year growth increase of 5-6%, according to IDC. CompTIA’s trends outlook article points to a growing optimism about opportunities in the tech industry, coupled with challenges to manage. 

Opportunities in Information Technology

The United States has long been a key player in the technology industry, accounting for 33% ($1.8 trillion) in expected spending for 2022. With its robust infrastructure and many connected users, as well as its abundant bandwidth, it has the opportunity to consider software development and tech services (including cloud services) built upon this foundation. Cloud-first will continue to be prevalent, with both existing systems and new components residing in the cloud. In fact, according to IDC, the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR)for cloud is expected to be 16.3%, with spending reaching $974 billion by 2026.  In terms of software development, user experience will be an important consideration, with many firms thinking of it as a critical concern. Channel firms will have the opportunity to help their customers choose what’s best for their business, with technological tools always being subject to business objectives like automation and product development. Cybersecurity, while an ever-present challenge, also can be lucrative for channel firms; they can become even more profitable and help nervous customers feel more confident about cybersecurity. The CAGR for security is expected to be 9.7%, reaching $345 billion by 2026. 

Meeting Challenges in the Future

With the growth of digital transformation comes an increased quantity of data that needs to be stored, managed and secured. How will companies keep customer data safe while complying 

with industry regulations? And how will they keep cyber attacks and data breaches from doing damage? It is now assumed that cyber attacks happen frequently, and not all come from outside the company. Keeping networks safe will continue to be challenging for organizations, and both offensive (such as penetration testing) and defensive (like antivirus protection) practices are needed. Cybersecurity metrics can connect cybersecurity practices to business health. 

With the rapid shift to at-home work and its expansion of the security perimeter, opportunities and challenges abound. For guidance in navigating the tech landscape, contact us today. 

Omnichannel is an Emerging Trend

Omnichannel has rapidly gained popularity as a trend, with more and more companies choosing it to manage their customer experience. According to a CompTIA article, companies that use the strongest omnichannel customer engagement strategies retain almost 90% of their customers. Those responding to the CompTIA survey indicate that they have moved to an omnichannel approach to customer engagement in the last few years. A majority of companies in the overall economy report customer experience as being even more important than the product or service sold. So, how does omnichannel change the customer experience?

Business Benefits of Omnichannel

Each interaction with a customer leads to that customer’s perception of the customer experience. Are they able to communicate with your company the way they wish? Some enjoy a self-service approach and having multiple easy ways to connect with you. Omnichannel, in a nutshell, is integration between distribution, promotion and communication on the back end, which allows an agent and a customer to stay connected through different phases of the customer cycle, from initial contact to renewal. For example, in a call center, an agent can take a call from a customer, look up preferences from a CRM program, switch to chat if the customer wishes, and help the customer buy the product or service. Powered by the cloud, omnichannel can be thought of as Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Call Center as a Service (CCaaS) combined. All channels of communication are integrated, so a customer and agent can go from phone to chat to video conferencing without interruption. Omnichannel helps call center agents save more time, in that they can manage multiple customers in the same amount of time it would take to serve one customer using a single channel. This frees up time for agents to complete complex tasks and add value to the call center.

Considerations in Adopting Omnichannel

As always, consider your company’s goals when adopting new technology–how will the tool help you reach those goals? Omnichannel can be complex, even with its benefits. Consider examining your procedures for customer engagement. Where is your business when it comes to all aspects of the customer lifecycle, and what might need to improve? Are touchpoints with customers formalized and repeatable? Businesses with formalized processes tend to get the best results, and integrated channels of communication can enhance what’s already in place. The health of your network always needs to be considered–is it robust and secure enough to handle omnichannel?

Omnichannel, when combined with formalized processes and a strong and secure network, can improve your customer engagement and satisfaction. For more assistance with preparing for this technology, contact us today.

Benefits of a Google My Business Listing

The benefits of having a Google My Business listing are numerous, and you can get started with the Google account you already have. 

According to Google’s blog, since the launch more than five years ago, Google has helped more than 150 million businesses connect with customers, via Google Search or Maps. Your account along with connecting in-person with customers, is all you need to get a listing. Once your listing is verified by Google, you can start building your profile–adding your business hours, products and/or services, photos, reviews and more. You can also chat with customers and respond to questions and reviews immediately. Viewers can post their own pictures, adding to your company’s visibility.

The Importance of Your Google My Business Listing

The statistics prove the value and importance of a Google My Business listing. According to Publer, the average business is found in more than 1000 searches per month, with 49% of businesses averaging more than 1000 searches on Google search and Maps. A typical business gets 59 actions from their listing every month. Having a complete, accurate and well-maintained listing can also enhance your search engine optimization (SEO) ratings, elevating your business to the top Google search results. To get started on your profile, contact ClikCloud today. 

Google My Business has helped millions of businesses get results. For help in getting started enhancing your company’s reach, contact ClikCloud today.

The Benefits of Unified Communications

Even before 2020, the use of Unified Communications was growing; since then, it has become even more popular. In a nutshell, Unified Communications is a way of integrating multiple modes of communication–including VoIP telephony, email, web conferencing and more–via the Internet. These new and integrated technologies save time and money by allowing businesses to seamlessly connect and collaborate with colleagues, cohorts and customers with ease. Unified Communications can also help a company gain a competitive advantage, connecting with customers regardless of location. Workers can work anytime, anywhere, with just an Internet connection, communicating and collaborating with each other and customers from work, home or on the road. Integration with CRM can help them obtain information about customers easily, and they’ll never miss a voicemail by routing to email. When UC is supported by software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), traffic can move easily because if one carrier goes down, another can pick up the slack without any downtime.

Prepare Your Business and  Network for UC with SD-WAN

Adoption of Unified Communications provides multiple benefits, yet requires planning and consideration. First, you’ll need to examine how it will support your company’s business goals. Second, you’ll need to assess your network’s strength and security; do you have the internal bandwidth it takes to support UC? Auditing your network to detect any weak spots might be a good first step, and inventorying the security of devices connected to the network. Checking to ensure network traffic flows smoothly during peak hours by prioritizing usage avoids service interruption and Quality of Service (QoS) issues. Finally, trace network traffic back to your service providers to identify bottlenecks that can easily be avoided using SD-WAN technologies.

Unified Communications with SD-WAN can be a great help to your business, especially if workers are still remote. To learn more about assessing the readiness of your business and network, contact us today.

Maintaining Network Health Facilitates Compliance

Your computer network is the backbone of your IT infrastructure, and needs to be maintained in order to stay healthy, and keep your business secure and compliant. Your network enables you to stay connected to customers, vendors and employees;  keep your mission-critical applications running; and connect to public and private cloud infrastructure as well as back up data offsite. A healthy network is efficient, flexible and secure, routing data in the quickest way possible and rerouting easily. Security is another hallmark of a healthy network, one with no weak spots or holes allowing the intrusion of malware and viruses, where data is encrypted. Keeping the network strong is a good step toward compliance.

Keeping Your Network Secure

Keeping your network and its data and applications secure can be thought of as a two-prong effort. One involves technological tools and defenses. A company can protect its network with current operating systems patches to block malware or viruses from intruding, as well as maintaining current antivirus and anti-malware definitions. Going further, a company might consider network monitoring to keep small intrusions from becoming major problems. Such monitoring can be done offsite, to protect your network after hours. The second prong is employees. Training them in cybersecurity policies, and best practices around passwords and connecting to your network can ideally transform employees from being the weakest link to being one of the strongest parts of your defense.

Compliance Facilitated by Security

If security involves protecting your company’s assets, compliance has to do with following regulations from a third party like the government or an industry. Industry regulations include HIPAA, followed by health-care organizations or PCI-DSS which protects personal information belonging to retail customers. Procedures for compliance have to do with backing up data, auditing and monitoring your network for any weak spots including unprotected devices, and maintaining current definitions. These procedures can help your business avoid the loss of money (through penalties), avoid downtime (which is also costly) and can prevent the loss of trust resulting from a data breach. 

A healthy network can go far in helping your company stay secure and compliant. For assistance in reaching this goal, contact us today.

Outage as Wake-up Call

The Facebook outage on October 4 was a wakeup call for many. Businesses that depended on Facebook and its other platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp  to make sales, missed out on several hours of sales. This loss of revenue, distressing enough itself, can make it difficult for brick-and-mortar businesses to make ends meet. An early estimate of losses from the outage is $100 million. Some businesses rely entirely on social media for sales, and the worldwide outage was paralyzing. What this occurrence shows us is that we use social media, but it’s best not to rely solely on it to conduct business. Instead, it’s best to diversify digital marketing spend, spreading it between social media, advertising, and a quality business website.

Make Your Website the Cornerstone of Your Digital Marketing Strategy

Business owners who rely on social media–especially Facebook and Instagram–of course can continue to use it. But what if it goes offline, and there’s no way for the owner, or customers, to access your storefront and ask questions or make purchases? What if your website is where your customers go to buy your product or service, and where they communicate with you? Customers, vendors and other partners can interact with you  through your blog and email newsletter. They can also chat with you and get answers to their questions, any time of day. Blog posts, even when shared to social media, will also remain on the website. Therefore, it’s important to devote time to creating and sharing good content on your website, while using social media as a supplemental channel. 

As can be seen by the recent social media outage, it’s best to diversify your digital marketing channels. For additional assistance, contact ClikCloud today.

Phishing a Growing Threat

Social engineering attacks, including phishing, are among the greatest threats to individual users as well as small to medium-sized businesses. Even though giants like Google and Facebook get the headlines, small to medium-sized businesses are not immune. Anyone and everyone can be a phishing target, and these attacks often come through email, something people use every day. A malicious actor sends an email (perhaps appearing to be from someone the recipient knows), trying to get confidential information like passwords or trying to insert malware in the network. According to a CompTIA State of Cybersecurity report, it can cost $1.85 million to remediate a ransomware attack.  Often these attacks come through spam emails and contain dangerous links that, when clicked on, can introduce malware to your system. Spam emails, in fact, account for most of the ransomware attacks. In spite of the prevalence of phishing, many users are not aware of the risk; as many as 13.6% of recipients click on the link. 

How to Prevent Phishing Emails from Becoming Attacks

In spite of such daunting statistics, there is good news–more awareness about the dangers of phishing scams. Many companies are consistently and systematically training their employees, and those with more than eleven campaigns per year (on average, one a month), have a low click-through rate, only 13%. This awareness, along with using email solutions that filter out the spam responsible for many phishing attacks, can block the majority of phishing attacks and keep your network safe. It’s still wise to be prepared in case something gets through, and have data backed up off site for easy retrieval. Finally, you can train your employees to recognize a possible phishing email. Clues include addresses that don’t look real, spelling errors, poorly written content, and appeals to emotions like fear. Once your workers are on guard, they know not to click on dangerous links. If the email looks like it’s from someone the person knows, it’s good to check that the message is indeed from them. If not, the email can be deleted.

Though phishing attacks are growing more common (not to mention more sophisticated), many intrusions can be prevented with technological tools and employee training. To learn more about keeping your network safe, contact us today.

Awareness is the First Step

Learning to be cybersmart involves common sense, being aware of threats and learning to protect against them. Ransomware, malware, phishing and more are part of the current threat landscape. Do your workers know how to identify a possible social engineering scheme, and how to report a phishing email? Are remote workers’ computers equipped with the latest anti-virus definitions, and the most current software versions? Do they know not to click on suspicious links? Passwords are another part of staying secure, passwords that are unique and easy to remember, and that are changed on a regular basis. Consistent training and reinforcement in these practices is the best way to make them part of your and your workers’ toolkit.

Awareness and Tools Go Together

Passwords, while still relevant, have been augmented with other tools for cybersecurity. Multi-factor authentication, which can involve more than one way of logging in, adds extra layers of security and ensures that only those authorized can access the system. Multi Factor authentication can be a one-time code delivered to email or via text, or it can be a biometric like a fingerprint. Multi-factor authentication has become more common over the years, and is a proven security method that goes beyond the simple username and password login. Other safeguards include operating system patches along with updated antivirus and anti-malware definitions. A combination of technical and human safeguards will help you keep your network secure and also remind your workers that they also play a vital role.

Awareness, though just the first step, is an important one. Combined with best practices and technical tools, it can help keep your network from being compromised. For more assistance, contact us today. 

Start With Quality Content

Quality content is a vital starting point. Blog posts, newsletters and landing pages all play a part in helping you get your website, and business, noticed. Outstanding content is relevant to your readers, showing them your unique value to customers. It almost goes without saying that well-written content should be free of spelling and typographical errors. 

Add a Human Element

Quality content is not limited to text; including images can give your website a personal touch that makes it easy for viewers to connect. Not only that, images of faces can relay confidence and even direct readers toward your call to action.That clear call to action invites readers to interact with you–making a comment on a blog post, subscribing to a newsletter, or visiting your social media sites. Along with quality content, a fast and secure website provides a positive user experience. 

Use Search Engine Optimization for Higher Rankings

Another way to direct traffic to your website is using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to elevate your websites ranking on search engines like Yahoo, Bing and Google. Using keywords in content like blog posts and on landing pages and even titles and tags, is a common SEO practice. Keywords and phrases woven organically through content are white-hat practices that work better than methods such as “keyword stuffing”. Using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) also improves your website’s ranking and helps potential customers find you easily.

Your Link to More Readers

Going further, once you’ve created quality content using ethical SEO techniques, don’t hesitate to include links to other landing pages and even other websites like those of vendors or customers. When you publish a blog post, you can link to social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Judicious linking to other websites can position you as one who has done their research and can make you a thought leader or influencer, and others linking to your website can show that your company is a trusted source.

It’s not difficult, using low-cost methods, to give your website and business a greater reach. For more guidance on your web presence, contact ClikCloud today.

Platforms for a Hybrid Workforce

Zoom and Microsoft Teams are both good platforms for a remote or hybrid workforce. They both allow workers and groups of workers to communicate and collaborate, with Teams allowing as many as 10,000 participants in one meeting. Each offers its own benefits, and both allow workers, customers and vendors to stay in touch all over the world. Whichever option is best for your organization depends on your company’s needs. Microsoft Team offers communication tools like videoconferencing, along with integration with MS 365. Zoom offers videoconferencing and chat, and can integrate with Microsoft Teams. In terms of security, Microsoft Teams offers end-to-end data encryption and multi-factor authentication as part of its package, and end-to-end encryption is also an option with Zoom. Both platforms can operate on a cloud-based UCaaS basis, integrating different modes of communication and making licensing simpler.

Preparing Your Network for UCaaS

Unified Communications as a Service can help your employees collaborate and get work done easily; however, it requires a strong network, with Internet connection points and sufficient bandwidth. A good first step is auditing your network, to determine its capability to handle traffic and stay connected to the cloud. Endpoints–devices like laptops and phones–need to be connected to the cloud service provider’s network, ensuring the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate. Along with connectivity, your company needs to have enough bandwidth to support high call volumes and videoconferencing with multiple participants. One way to ensure sufficient bandwidth is spending more on wide-area networking (WAN), purchasing more bandwidth. Or your company can connect directly to a cloud service provider’s network, with the UCaaS provider being a part of the network. Using Software-Defined Wide-Area Networking offers a broadband solution to transmit data (such as in file sharing) and provide uninterrupted voice and video connectivity.

Using UCaaS for communication and collaboration offers many benefits, and requires consideration of the strength of your network. For assistance in preparing your network or assessing its readiness, contact us today. 

Make Desktop as a Service (DaaS) Work for You

Desktop as a Service (DaaS), with its flexibility, reliability and security, is invaluable for businesses with remote workers. Workers can access systems, data and applications via the cloud, with just an Internet connection and a web browser. The service provider furnishes the infrastructure, network resources and storage in the cloud, and users’ computers are connected to the virtual desktop, and can access data and applications. Rapid deployment means that a new device can be connected to the virtual desktop, and later disconnected if needed; this will help businesses cope with fluctuating demand at different times of the day or year. If demand on one server is too great, all machines can be migrated to a different server.  Remote IT support can be given by the service provider, preventing downtime and keeping your systems running. 

Desktop as a Service is Affordable and Secure

Desktop as a Service can be affordable by managing consumption during peak business hours and the cloud subscription model allows companies to pay just for the resources they use. Service providers can help manage consumption by reducing available resources during off-peak hours. When it comes to security, IT service providers can quickly create a new desktop in case of a ransomware attack, so that data and applications are not accessed via the affected device. 

Considerations for Desktop as a Service

While Desktop as a Service is a secure model for remote work, considerations remain. First, workers need to know best practice security procedures–both cybersecurity and physical security. Maintaining strong passwords, awareness of social engineering, and even guarding their device from non-business use–all of these still apply. On a management level, companies need to ensure that their Cloud service provider meets industry standards for regulatory compliance as required.  

Desktop as a Service, a flexible and affordable cloud offering, can help keep your remote workers busy and your company secure. To learn more about DaaS, contact us today. 

Consider Your Goals

A good first step in developing (or refining) your digital marketing strategy is considering broad business goals. Your website, newsletter, blog and social media serves as your company’s brand–who you are and what you offer. Besides branding, what are other specific business goals? For instance, do you want more revenue from existing customers? Do you want more new customers? Direct more traffic to your website? Having determined broad goals, you can then consider strategies to meet those goals, and specific ways to put your strategy into action. One way is to determine your ideal customer and target content to that customer.

Make Content a Cornerstone

Once you’ve found your ideal customer, consider what they need and want. What questions do they have that they need answered? Content that is relevant, timely and engaging will bring visitors to your website, blog and social media pages. You can use a blend of your own content and syndicated content from other sources. As always, include search engine optimization (SEO) keywords in heading lines and throughout your content so that your website will get a high ranking with search engines. Including a clear call to action will encourage your visitors to interact with you and become repeat visitors–and customers.

Metrics Help Gauge Your Success

Once you have developed and implemented your digital marketing strategy, how will you know it’s successful? If you want a 25% increase in website traffic, how do you know you’ve met that benchmark? Numerous metrics exist, such as organic versus paid traffic; new versus repeat visitors; which pages on your website get the most views; and how many visitors have subscribed to your newsletter. You can then assess how effectively your content has engaged customers. On the social media front, likes, comments and shares can tell you what content is getting noticed. You can also find out how many click-throughs you’re getting with your newsletter, and know that your content is read and appreciated.

With so many people online, you want your digital content to reach, engage and convert visitors, making them customers. For help with your strategy, contact us today.

Take Advantage of the Cloud

Since it’s unlikely for remote workers to have IT infrastructure at home, the cloud supports remote access to a company’s applications and data. With just an Internet connection and a web browser needed to access a virtual desktop, remote workers can easily communicate, collaborate and complete tasks. Data and applications reside within the cloud, accessible to workers in their home offices. Better yet, SD-WAN can help keep traffic moving and business running smoothly.

Keep Things Moving with SD-WAN

A software-defined wide-area network, or SD-WAN, keeps bandwidth moving in order to give workers and customers a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Based on criteria that are set up ahead of time, SD-WAN can direct traffic in the most efficient way; if one route is bottlenecked or down for some reason, traffic gets redirected efficiently and your employees remain productive. Unlike traditional wide area networking, SD-WAN provides users a direct route to cloud resources. Not only is SD-WAN fast, it is secure even with transmission of great amounts of data. With such robust technology, workers can communicate and collaborate even more effectively.

Collaborate Using Unified Communications

Another technology supporting efficient remote work is Unified Communications (UC). With Unified Communications numerous communication and collaboration applications–VoIP, chat, customer relationship management and videoconferencing–are streamlined and available via a single Internet interface. Little or no hardware is needed(reducing capital expense), and even vast amounts of data can be transmitted between workers and with customers. Costs are reduced, and resources are scalable according to fluctuations in demand. Workers and customers are treated to an enjoyable user experience.

Technology that facilitates productivity and enhances the user experience are invaluable to remote work. To learn how to harness the power of cloud computing to speed remote work and keep your business running, contact us today.

Multiple Layers of Protection

Layered security can be defined as using multiple strategies to protect a company’s network, instead of one single strategy. This approach takes into account technology, processes and people and how they interact with each other.  The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has established a framework including the following 5 elements; Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.  These elements provide a structured representation of layered security that has global adoption.

For example, a remote worker seeking to access their company’s system may use a virtual private network to log into their company’s network using an encrypted password along with a secondary form of authentication to access resources based on role and function.  Network monitoring can be used to determine who is seeking authentication from which IP address and when to detect a malicious intrusion. Previous training in cybersecurity can keep a worker alert to social engineering (“phishing”) emails, and keep them from clicking on a suspicious link or know how to respond if they feel they have been compromised. In the case of a compromise, local or cloud backup could be used to rapidly recover.  In the case where data may be leaked or lost, having an incident response plan helps to inform stakeholders as needed.

Relying on multiple layers of security is your best defense against cyber attack.  In a layered security system people, technology and processes combine to keep your computer network safe from intrusion. For help with developing a layered approach to security, contact us today.

Start with Quality Content

Your content is where it all begins. The best content is interesting, relevant and engaging. It can address questions large and small, like what your company’s brand is, and where it’s located. Ideally, it answers questions readers have, or helps them solve a problem. For instance, you can address what your company’s plans are as we head out of the pandemic lockdown, or what lessons you’ve learned over the past year. A clear call to action, what you want your readers to do, is important, so they can act on the content you’ve published. Another aspect of good content is using on-page search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure that your website (and blog) ranks high in Google searches. Lastly, content needs to be professionally written and free of spelling and grammar errors.

Organizing Your Efforts

After developing quality content, maintaining a quality contact list is a good next step. Include contacts who you’ve met in person and online, and who know you. This is a far better bet than buying a list of contacts. With your own list, you know who you are reaching and bounces and unsubscribes becoming part of your metrics is less likely. Whenever you receive a business card or make a new connection on LinkedIn, you can add the contact information to your list. A quality list is a work in progress that you can continually refine. A content calendar for blogging is helpful, so you can remain top of mind with your subscribers. 

Sharing Your Content on Social Media

Your website is not the only place to share new blog posts. You can also, with some blog programs, automatically publish on sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Facebook and Twitter are good for microblogging in between longer scheduled blog posts. Social media can also be a good place for making professional videos about upcoming events.

To strengthen your brand, a presence online is vital. For help in developing and refining your brand, contact ClikCloud today.