Today, most successful companies hire an Outsourced IT team or Managed Services Provider (MSP) to make sure they are protected from the increasingly complex landscape of cyberthreats.
While it’s great to have tools and professionals working to protect your data, it’s important to know that not all providers are created equal. As technology becomes more deeply embedded into business and society in general, business owners and cybersecurity professionals are finding that not all security adequately protects information from cybercriminals who want to steal data, blackmail big corporations and take control of automated systems for malicious purposes. Now, more than ever, it’s important to not assume your security is up to date and adequately protecting your data.
Most employers know that keeping their company, its assets, data, and employees safe is crucial to running a successful business. In 2021 most, if not all, successful companies are making sure they are protected by hiring an IT team or an MSP (Managed Service Provider). While it’s great to have tools and professionals working to protect your data, it’s important to know that not all security is created equal. As technology becomes more deeply embedded into business and society in general, business owners and cybersecurity professionals are finding that not all security adequately protects information from cybercriminals who want to steal data, blackmail big corporations and take control of automated systems for malicious purposes. Now, more than ever, it’s important to not assume your security is up to date and adequately protecting your data. When looking to keep your data safe, we believe there are 3 key factors to consider as best practices.
Security Detection More Important Than Ever
Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated. Each year, highly organized, targeted attacks replace more ad hoc attempts, and it’s up to your security measures to quickly recognize the signs of an attack, understand what is being targeted and work on countermeasures to stop the attack. We can’t rely on being reactive any longer. That’s where next-generation security comes into play.
Next-Generation Defense
Next-generation security provides targeted defense measures that lead to the identification of more threats and, most importantly, faster detection rates. Next-generation security uses modern technologies such as AI, machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect new threats. This means that threats can be detected much earlier than previously thought. AI is constantly analyzing the behavior of an application, specifically looking for malicious behavior. If any part of the application is showing signs of being malicious, it is immediately shut down and monitored to determine if there were any suspicious attempts. We no longer have to wait to see if an application is behaving maliciously. With next-generation security, we can catch the behavior before it starts.
For instance, at VersaTrust, we know that next-generation solutions combine technologies, procedures and the right people working together to keep your data safe. We use next-generation security tools in connection with our highly trained and dedicated security team. We provider 24/7 monitoring with analysis and rapid response to potential threats and attacks.
Cybersecurity Training is Critical
Recent studies have shown that 43% of employees lack regular cybersecurity training and that 73% of companies have at least one critical misconfiguration that could expose critical data and systems and give hackers access to sensitive information. So, for all the money companies are putting into advanced security, a majority aren’t even taking full advantage of basic security tools available to them, like employee education and secure configuration.
Your Best Line of Defense Is Your Staff
We understand that employee training is the biggest factor in fighting phishing attempts and online scams. Often, unsuspecting employees are tricked into providing hackers access to sensitive company data. Hackers typically investigate an individual or organization before carrying out attacks such as spear phishing or business email compromise. With employees connected to the internet around the clock, businesses are more vulnerable than ever to attacks. We know that hackers are targeting employees, yet the majority of companies do not provide adequate cybersecurity training.
Regular and up-to-date training can help give employees the necessary tools to prevent attacks. If employees are equipped with the knowledge of the characteristics of cyberattacks, they are more likely to avoid the pitfalls. In addition to training, companies should also empower employees to use good judgment and have a security mindset.
Getting Secure IT Service
Outsourcing IT can give your company access to several digital solutions, but not all providers offer layered IT security to their clients. Many don’t even use appropriate IT security measures themselves, leaving you wide open to attack. In recent years, the incidents of attacks specifically on IT services and technology vendors has sharply risen as criminals realize a shocking truth: they can break through one network and access thousands of companies.
Secure Outsourced IT
When you work with VersaTrust, you are partnering with a CISSP, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. This is important because it means we take every precaution possible to ensure your business is secure. Your managed security provider must have the knowledge and training necessary to create a fully secure environment. We provide employee training, ethical hacking modules and quarterly and biyearly phishing campaigns. We work to make sure your company’s security plan is offensive rather than defensive.
Questions to ask your IT services company
Before you start working with an MSP, or if you’ve been working with one for a while now, you should sit down with them to find out if they are providing solutions and tools that are up to date and keeping your company’s information safe. We’ve provided some questions you could ask:
- What are your qualifications? Do you have any specific cybersecurity credentials, like a CISSP or Certified Ethical Hackers on staff?
- What tools do you use internally to ensure your customer information is safe?
- How recently have your IT security practices been updated?
- How do you respond if something does happen?
- How long does it take you to respond to a cyberattack?
Ultimately, your network security depends on the right technology stack and the use of best practices.
Outsourced IT with VersaTrust
We believe that all IT should be secure. It’s why we include next-generation security and training in our IT services bundles. With smart integration and savvy innovation, we harness the power of existing, proven and emerging technologies to provide streamlined, secure productivity platforms that work for your business. That’s the value we provide to our client base every day. No matter your business’ focus, our business IT service professionals will ensure that your information technology is secured from cyber threats and running at peak performance. We provide the services that help you leverage technology and make the most out of cutting-edge IT solutions. Make sure your information is secure and reduce IT headaches by partnering with VersaTrust today.
Do you trust your Outsourced IT provider to be there if you experience a cybersecurity attack? The longer attacks linger, the more time, money and reputation it can cost you.
