September Technology Quick Tips

September Technology Quick Tips

Should I be using a Virtual Private Network in the office?

Yes, a VPN adds another layer of security to ensure your company data stays within the company network, and stops outsiders from looking in.

How do I reset my password?

Most sites and applications have a ‘forgot password’ option that should help, but in some cases, you’ll need to speak to your IT support partner for instruction. To avoid the issue again, start using a password manager for increased security.

Are Passkeys ready to start using now?

Passkeys are still in their early stages, so they’re not available to use across many devices, apps, and systems yet. You can certainly use them where they are available – PayPal, Google, and Apple, for example – but they’re not yet a complete security solution. 

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.

In an era marked by technological advancements, businesses continuously seek innovative solutions to streamline their operations and enhance efficiency while reducing costs. One transformative trend is the transition to a paperless office environment. A key player at the forefront of this digital revolution is Foxit, a cost-saving PDF and eSign solution. As a Foxit Partner, Yeo & Yeo Technology can show you the features, compare your costs and help you maximize your software expenditures. Let’s learn more about the benefits of Foxit’s PDF software and why it’s a strong choice for businesses striving to enhance efficiency while reducing costs.

What is Foxit

Foxit’s PDF software provides an intuitive platform for creating, editing, and organizing PDF documents. While Adobe Acrobat can be cost-prohibitive for many businesses, Foxit offers a budget-friendly alternative without compromising on features. Whether it’s document creation, conversion, merging, or eSign, Foxit’s software ensures a seamless workflow at a fraction of the cost.

The Foxit Advantage

1. Simplifying Document Management

Foxit offers various tools for creating, editing, annotating, and organizing PDF documents, allowing for seamless collaboration and efficient handling of important files. The intuitive user interface ensures that even those new to digital document management can quickly adapt and become proficient.

2. Enhanced Collaboration

Foxit’s features enable real-time collaboration on documents, regardless of geographical boundaries. Multiple team members can simultaneously work on a document, making edits and suggestions, accelerating decision-making processes and fostering a collaborative environment.

3. Security and Compliance

Foxit’s solutions offer advanced security features such as password protection, encryption, and digital signatures, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure. Moreover, Foxit helps businesses comply with industry regulations by providing tools for redacting confidential information and tracking document changes.

4. Cost and Resource Efficiency

Moving to a paperless office benefits the environment and reduces costs associated with paper, ink, storage, and document retrieval. Foxit’s solutions contribute significantly to cost savings by eliminating the need for physical paperwork. Additionally, the time saved in document processing and retrieval can be redirected toward more productive tasks.

Foxit’s Impact on the Paperless Revolution

Foxit’s commitment to the paperless revolution is evident in its continuous efforts to provide state-of-the-art solutions. In a recent blog post, Foxit delves into the latest paperless landscape trends. The post highlights the increasing integration of artificial intelligence and automation, further streamlining document processes and enhancing productivity.

The Financial Impact of Foxit’s Solutions

A study by Forrester found that companies adopting Foxit PhantomPDF experienced significant cost savings and productivity gains. Notably, the time saved in document creation, editing, and review translated into remarkable efficiency improvements. Further, Adobe Acrobat costs over three times more than Foxit. With Foxit’s Adobe Acrobat alternative, robust PDF capabilities can be deployed to more users on the same budget.

Conclusion

The benefits of adopting Foxit’s solutions extend beyond document management – they encompass enhanced collaboration, security, compliance, and resource efficiency. With the paperless revolution well underway, businesses can rely on Foxit to provide the tools needed for seamless digital transformation.

Interested in learning more? Contact Yeo & Yeo Technology today.

Information in this article was provided by our partners at Foxit.

According to a recent study, 85% of cyberattacks are caused by human error. Knowing that it’s people causing this significant weakness, it’s vital to educate and empower your employees to prepare for, recognize, and prevent cyberattacks through security awareness training.

Any robust cybersecurity awareness training program should cover the following:

• Phishing and social engineering
• Access, passwords, and connection
• Device security
• Physical security 

Let’s take a deeper look at these important pillars of robust cybersecurity education.

Phishing and social engineering

Social engineering is a malicious attack on a user or administrator by deceiving them into divulging information to a bad actor. Phishing is a common social engineering tactic where attackers attempt to get sensitive information like passwords and credit card information by masquerading as a trustworthy source.

Common phishing attempts often require the victim to click on a link, open an attachment, send sensitive information, wire money, or take other actions that leave them and their information vulnerable. 

As threat actors continue to create new methods and schemes, their tactics are even more challenging to detect, especially when it looks like it’s coming from a credible source like your CEO or coworker. However, these deceiving attacks often offer a few tell-tale signs, including:

• Content errors. Incorrect spelling, typos, and links containing random numbers and letters are red flags. 
• A sense of urgency. An unusual sense of urgency with an immediate request for money or sensitive information indicates the email may be a phishing attack.
• Incorrect emails. An easy giveaway to phishing is when the email sender has a questionable email address. It’s essential to verify the email address before taking any action. 

A robust security awareness training program will teach your employees to recognize these phishing red flags through simulated attacks.

Access, passwords, and connection

Cybersecurity training is an excellent time to discuss different aspects of the network, such as access privileges, passwords, and the network connection itself. Generally, users with privileged access perform administrative-level functions or access sensitive data. All employees should know if they’re general or privileged users, so they understand what information, applications, or processes are accessible to them. 

Similarly, employees should be using best practices regarding the passwords they create, especially those used to access IT environments. In general, secure passwords should: 

• Be unique to each app/site
• Have at least eight characters
• Contain letters and special characters
• Stay away from obvious information like names and birthdays

Additionally, passwords should be updated or changed about every six months. 

While it may be less obvious, employees should also be wary of network connections outside their homes or workplaces. Employees need to be aware of vulnerabilities in public networks and how they could potentially be putting all data exchanged on that network at risk. Security awareness training can encourage end users only to use trusted network connections or a VPN to ensure a secure connection. 

Device security

When a mobile or personal device enters the workplace, it connects to the corporate network and accesses all company data. Every device creates more endpoints and opportunities for attackers to capitalize on. Without a secure connection, any mobile device could compromise the corporate network. Therefore, securing these devices is imperative to prevent a business catastrophe.  

The same threats to company desktops and laptops also apply to personal mobile devices. Tablets and smartphones may be even less secure because they don’t have pre-installed endpoint protection. To protect the company and its data, users should be mindful of the websites they browse, the apps they install, and the links they click. 

Physical security

It’s easy to mistakenly leave a mobile device or computer unattended—it happens to all of us. However, if someone swipes an employee’s unattended phone or logs in to their computer, their data will immediately be at risk. 

The best way to protect your employees is through awareness. Your employees can increase their physical security in and out of the office by:

• Locking up all devices. Get in the habit of doing this every time you leave your desk. For Windows users, press and hold the Windows key, then press the “L” key. For Mac users, press control, shift, and eject (or the power key) simultaneously.
• Locking your documents. Store all your documents in a locked cabinet rather than leaving sensitive information hanging around your desk. Before leaving for the day, stow essential documents in a safe or locked cabinet. 
• Discarding information properly. When throwing away or removing documents and files, ensure you’re shredding them and discarding them appropriately. 

Create a Culture of Vigilance

With knowledge, people can shift from vulnerabilities to the front line of defense against cyberattacks. Comprehensive cybersecurity training is the path that drives this change. By promoting vigilance, responsibility, and discernment, organizations can mold their workforce into a united defense against cyber threats, ultimately eliminating human error as the weak point in cybersecurity.

Looking to build your human firewall? Get started with Yeo & Yeo Technology’s security awareness training solutions.

In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is a top concern for companies across industries. With the constant evolution of threats, businesses face a critical decision: Should they build an in-house cybersecurity team or form strategic partnerships? This article explores the advantages and considerations of each approach, helping companies make informed decisions for their cybersecurity needs.

1. Building an In-House Cybersecurity Team: Building an in-house cybersecurity team offers direct control and tailored solutions. It allows companies to customize security measures and seamlessly integrate them into existing infrastructure. However, this approach requires significant investments in recruiting, training, and retaining skilled professionals. Additionally, staying updated with the ever-changing threat landscape and emerging technologies can be challenging for an in-house team alone.
2. Partnering with Cybersecurity Professionals: Strategic partnerships with external cybersecurity professionals provide access to specialized skills, technologies, and knowledge without large upfront investments. By collaborating with established cybersecurity providers, companies gain tailored solutions and stay up to date with the latest threats. However, choosing the right partner is crucial, considering factors such as compatibility, trust, and effective collaboration.
3. Combining Both Approaches: In certain cases, combining both approaches can yield comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. By building an in-house team and forming strategic partnerships, companies can leverage their strengths effectively. This hybrid approach allows for direct control, customization, and seamless integration while tapping into external expertise, scalability, and flexibility. Careful planning, collaboration, and clear roles and responsibilities are essential for successful integration and coordination between the in-house team and external partners.

Deciding between building an in-house team or forming partnerships for cybersecurity requires a thorough evaluation of your company’s specific needs, resources, and objectives. By understanding the advantages and limitations of each approach, businesses can develop a robust cybersecurity strategy that mitigates risks, protects critical assets, and adapts to the evolving threat landscape. Whether choosing to build, partner, or combine both, regular evaluations and adjustments will ensure an agile and resilient cybersecurity framework.

Yeo & Yeo Technology Can Help

Choosing Yeo & Yeo Technology as your cybersecurity partner empowers your business with the expertise, resources, and peace of mind needed to protect critical assets, maintain compliance, and safeguard your reputation. From specific IT needs to an always-on partnership, we create a rightsized, customized relationship.

Contact us today to learn more about how our comprehensive cybersecurity solutions can enhance your organization’s resilience and enable you to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape with confidence.

TechTarget highlighted cybersecurity as one of the top three challenges CIOs face in 2023. This likely doesn’t come as much of a surprise, knowing there were over 25,000 cybersecurity vulnerabilities assigned a common vulnerabilities and exposure (CVE) number and included in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) via the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2022.

As organizations navigate this complex terrain, it becomes crucial to identify and address the specific cybersecurity issues that pose the greatest risk to their operations, data, and reputation. Here are the top 5 cybersecurity-related issues organizations are tackling in 2023.

1. Keeping pace with the threat landscape

The threat landscape is the constantly changing nature of cyberattacks, which can occur when viruses, malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, or other intrusions penetrate a company’s networks. These threats can come from various sources, including nation-states, organized crime, individual malicious hackers, or even ethical hackers.

2. Technological change

With the rapid pace of technological change experienced in the IT industry, as new technologies are developed and adopted, they can create new vulnerabilities to be exploited. A recent example is the migration of enterprise applications, such as Microsoft 365, to the cloud, which has created a vast landscape of inter-connected computers and networks that can be attacked individually or as a group.

This changing reality necessitates a proactive approach to cybersecurity. This includes technical cybersecurity solutions, such as antivirus, firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems, based on the latest security technologies, as well as updated company cybersecurity processes that mandate periodic employee training and incident response plans.

3. Finding the right vendors and tools 

An organization’s cybersecurity tech stack should incorporate elements that protect digital assets, networks, databases, servers, and enterprise applications. It’s important to remember that the ideal cybersecurity tech stack for you should be based on your organization’s—as well as your customers’—overall risk profile. No matter what the current state of your cybersecurity tech stack is like, it’s crucial to remember that threats are constantly evolving, and business and cybersecurity needs are changing, so it’s necessary to stay vigilant and find ways to improve. 

4. Responding to incidents

Well-run companies have formal incident response processes fully documented by their internal cybersecurity team or IT support partner. This way, when an actual cybersecurity incident occurs, the team can focus on mitigating the incident rather than wasting resources tracking each team member to ensure they are completing their assigned tasks.

Without such processes, a simple incident can become a major crisis, causing serious harm to an organization’s operations, compliance, reputation, and financial state. Having standard operation procedures (SOPs), especially for frequent incidents, is critical for proper resource management and ensuring the most critical incidents are prioritized when required. The owner of the SOPs with the appropriate level of authority to make enhancements or changes also needs to be identified and updated when required as part of the documentation.

Without such formal incident response processes, organizations can waste valuable time and already-scarce cybersecurity talent tracking personnel instead of spending time on the resolution.

5. Cybersecurity insurance coverage

According to Sophos’ Cyber Insurance 2022: Reality from the Infosec Frontline report, cyber insurance policies are now held by 94% of organizations. And it’s getting more challenging to obtain cyber insurance as insurers evolve their minimum cybersecurity standards. According to the report:

• 54% say the level of cybersecurity they need to qualify for insurance is now higher
• 47% say policies are now more complex
• 40% say fewer companies offer cyber insurance
• 37% say the process takes longer

And even if you get a policy, there’s no guarantee the attack scenario you encounter is covered, as many organizations have needed to go to court over being paid out based on their policy.

Yeo & Yeo Technology can help organizations keep up with the evolving threat landscape.

At Yeo & Yeo Technology, we are committed to helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture and effectively mitigate threats. Contact us today to learn more about how our comprehensive solutions and experienced team can safeguard your digital assets, protect your sensitive information, and ensure your organization’s resilience against cyber threats.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at ConnectWise.

New data shows that even with most organizations experiencing cyberattacks, three hours of security awareness training simply isn’t enough.

There’s a bit of a misunderstanding about what “Security Awareness Training” is. According to new data in Fortinet’s 2023 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Brief, nearly 60% of organization leadership think that just three hours a year of security training is enough, with more than two-thirds of them (68%) thinking that it’s most important for employees to know how to keep sensitive data and systems secure while working remotely.

According to the report, these same organizations haven’t been doing so well in the fight against cyberattacks:

• 56% of leaders believe their employees lack knowledge when it comes to cybersecurity awareness, despite 85% having some form of security awareness training program in place
• 84% of organizations surveyed experienced at least one cybersecurity breach in the past 12 months, with 29% experiencing five or more in the same timeframe
• 81% of the attacks experienced were phishing, password, and malware attacks

Organizations know they’re being bombarded with phishing attacks, they believe their users aren’t security aware, and somehow three hours a year is enough training?

The threat landscape is continually changing, and if you want your users to act as part of the cybersecurity solution for your organization, a few hours of security awareness training a year isn’t going to get the job done. Instead, invest in a security awareness training solution that includes both training campaigns and simulated phishing attacks to test your users, assess their knowledge, and improve your organization’s human firewall.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at KnowBe4.

In collaboration with CISA, the NSA, and the FBI, Five Eyes cybersecurity authorities have issued a list of the 12 most exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2022.

According to the report, threat actors increasingly focused their attacks on outdated software vulnerabilities rather than recently disclosed ones during the previous year, specifically targeting systems left unpatched and exposed on the Internet.

Below is the list of the 12 most exploited security flaws last year.

In light of these findings, organizations must take action to bolster their cyber defenses. The following steps are recommended to ensure a robust security posture:

1. Prioritize Patching: Swiftly address known vulnerabilities that have been exploited, ensuring that patches are applied to all vulnerable systems.
2. Automated Asset Discovery: Implement routine automated scans across your entire digital estate to identify and catalog all systems, services, hardware, and software. This proactive approach helps pinpoint potential vulnerabilities.
3. Secure System Backups: Regularly create secure backups of systems and configurations, storing copies in physically secure off-network locations. Regular testing of these backups ensures quick recovery in the event of an attack.
4. Privileged Account Management: Conduct regular reviews to validate or remove privileged accounts, at least annually. This minimizes potential points of compromise.
5. Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for all users, leaving no exceptions. This additional layer of security significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

By staying informed, vigilant, and proactive, organizations can fortify their defenses and contribute to a safer online environment. For further details and insights, the full report can be accessed at https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-215a.

The shift to a remote-based workforce since the pandemic has significantly impacted cybersecurity risks for organizations. This has been particularly true for small and midsized businesses (SMBs) across the United States, whose IT teams perform multiple roles. Not only are they tasked with ensuring networks and systems perform without problems, but they are also responsible for ensuring these tools are safe from cyber threats, which are increasing yearly.

Case in point: Data from the ConnectWise 2023 MSP Threat Report shows that in 2022, there were over 25,000 vulnerabilities disclosed that were assigned a common vulnerabilities and exposure (CVE) number and included in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD).

Even with the growing threat landscape, the average SMB IT team has yet to grow in size or budget. For minimally staffed and under-resourced SMB IT teams, it’s extremely difficult to ensure their enterprise’s cybersecurity is addressed satisfactorily on a 24/7 basis. Let’s delve into the four most pressing cybersecurity issues an SMB IT team faces.

1. Growth and complexity of tech stacks

The shift to cloud-based storage, virtual teams collaboration, and the number of enterprise apps being used within the company have added complexity to managing cybersecurity in the past few years. Every one of these IT tools requires safe deployment across the enterprise and continual optimization for security updates via a robust patch-management process. It takes more time and adds more risk of alert fatigue.

2. Compliance requirements

Every IT team, whether at an SMB or a larger enterprise, is responsible for ensuring that all devices, applications, and network infrastructure deployed comply with cybersecurity regulatory standards. Maintaining certifications for every piece of the company’s tech stack and keeping up with changes in regulatory standards adds more complexity and stress to an IT team.

3. Outdated IT systems

Budgets are an issue for SMBs across the board. When it comes to the IT department, this usually manifests itself with antiquated IT systems that would already have been replaced at a larger enterprise. The security vulnerabilities of these antiquated systems frequently remain unpatchable because the providers no longer support them.

4. Cybersecurity staffing shortages

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, unfilled cybersecurity jobs grew by 350% to 3.5 million in 2021. They also predict the same number of openings to exist in 2025. This poses a challenge for SMBs vying to attract people from the same small talent pool in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Cybersecurity strategies for SMB IT teams

These are daunting challenges for minimally staffed and under-resourced SMB IT teams, but some strategies are cost-effective with a high return on investment (ROI).

1. Build or enlist a SOC

A security operations center (SOC) is a centralized function incorporating the people, processes, and technology required to monitor and address cybersecurity issues affecting a company’s IT infrastructure. A SOC can provide many benefits for an organization, including:

• Improved cybersecurity posture
• Early detection and prioritization of threats
• Regulatory compliance

A SOC provides expertise to stay compliant with all necessary regulations. Their regulatory teams also remain on the lookout for any regulatory violations and provide appropriate guidance to achieve the required level of compliance.

However, a SOC also comes with its own set of challenges. Installing and refreshing a constantly changing cybersecurity tech stack, analyzing the data for vulnerabilities, and determining the appropriate remediation all require considerable resources.

Additionally, staffing your own SOC can be prohibitively expensive, and an advanced SOC can cost up to $4 million annually. However, SMB IT leaders don’t have to build their own SOC—they can turn to an MSP for a more resource-friendly solution. Using an outside SOC, also known as SOC as a Service, gives you incredibly similar benefits to building your own, including 24/7 monitoring. Still, it doesn’t require the cost of the upkeep of an internal team. It’s a proven, cost-effective option for SMBs.

Learn more about Yeo & Yeo’s SOC services here.

2. Problem-solve and stay informed with a virtual community

Whether you build your own or partner with a SOC, staying informed with sufficient cybersecurity knowledge is still important to get the best result from your SOC relationship. Your IT department can only understand the true cybersecurity risks and their severity if you are armed with this information. Participating in a community of cybersecurity professionals and IT professionals is the most efficient way to access such a pool of knowledge.

Many virtual communities are free to join, and there’s a high probability that members have experienced issues similar to what you are seeing at your company. Considering this, joining a virtual cybersecurity community is a no-brainer.

Conclusion

SMBs must recognize the critical importance of cybersecurity and proactively address their unique challenges. By adopting cost-effective strategies like leveraging SOC services and engaging with virtual communities, SMB IT teams can bolster their cybersecurity defenses and protect their organizations from the ever-evolving threat landscape. Contact Yeo & Yeo Technology to learn more and take the first step toward safeguarding your business.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at ConnectWise.

Cybercriminals know that your people are the weakest link in your security chain. Not because they’d do anything malicious, but because they’re human. Without training, they simply don’t know the risks to look for or what they can do to keep your business safe.

That’s why good cybersecurity awareness training – for everyone in your business – is vital. Here’s where to start.

Find your baseline

There are countless cyberattacks to protect against, so your approach must be systematic. Look at:

• Emails, communications, and file sharing
• Log-in behavior
• Attitudes to policies around data protection and information handling
• General awareness of cyber threats
• and more

Every business is different, so you should create your priorities according to your needs. Observe your employees’ behavior rather than assuming that policies are being followed. That will give you the best idea of where your vulnerabilities lie, which can shape your training sessions.

Assess the risks and prioritize

Prioritize training on the most immediate weaknesses, dealing with any obvious knowledge gaps first. Assess your current systems, your network, and your digital assets. Look also at who has access to what information and why.

Reassess as you go

If you’re dealing with sensitive data, take this opportunity to look at your wider policies alongside your training plan. For example, a zero-trust security policy may be appropriate for you. Make sure that only people who need access to sensitive information can access it – everyone else is locked out. These assessments will help you create a training program tailored to the right people according to their roles and responsibilities.

Create your training plan

Lay out your objectives – the skills and knowledge you need to develop – and the attitudes and behaviors you need to see at work. Then break each objective down into topics or modules. For example, there may be a module on phishing emails and one on data classification.

Sessions can be online or in-house; where possible, training should be interactive and hands-on to help people retain information. Reading a guide or completing a workbook alone is unlikely to help someone understand and retain what they’ve learned.

Begin training

Everyone should understand exactly why training is being introduced, the range of threats the business faces, the desired outcomes, and the benefits to employees and the company. Remember that training should be embedded for everyone in the business, so it should become part of your employee onboarding package, as well as part of the transition process when people change roles.

Put it to the test

When you’ve invested time and money into training, you want to ensure it’s doing its job. Periodic written tests and quizzes are good, but an effective way of finding out if your people can put their training to use is with a simulated phishing attack. There are platforms available to help you do this. Think of it like a fire drill. The key is not to warn your team a test is coming. You don’t want them to be on guard. For those who don’t pass the test, further training may be necessary.

Create new policies

If you don’t already have a cybersecurity policy that sets your expectations, it’s time to create one. Your policy should be detailed but easy to understand. Describe the security controls you have in place and the threats they address. Include who is responsible for maintaining them, how incidents should be reported – and who to – and the consequences of not reporting a potential cybersecurity risk or attack.

Highlight your expectation that your people should use your security measures, follow protocols, and always use best practices. Again, include the repercussions if someone knowingly fails to do so. Include a remote access policy, acceptable internet use policy, and information about managing updates. You may also consider a section on personal devices used for work purposes and how they should remain secured to protect company data.

Most people on your team will take protecting the company and its data seriously. But it’s common to have an individual or two that won’t. Enforcing your cybersecurity policy will ensure everyone recognizes its importance and the serious risks you’re protecting the business against.

Stay updated

Cybersecurity training is never a set-and-forget thing. New scams and security issues arise all the time, so keeping your people aware of the things they should look out for is crucial.

Plan for quarterly or semiannual refresher sessions for everyone, from your apprentices to the people at the very top. This will ensure everyone has the most up-to-date cybersecurity knowledge while also reinforcing the ongoing seriousness of the threat.

Between sessions, keep everyone updated on the latest cybersecurity news. Share news stories of big data breaches and even insights on the security measures you use. You can set up news alerts or take a weekly scan through tech news sites – it’s extremely worthwhile.

Consider working with an expert

Creating your cybersecurity training plan takes time and a fair amount of effort. But, done right, it plugs one of the biggest security holes in any business – human error.

A good IT support expert can help make the whole process run smoothly, from first thoughts to routine refresher training. If you’d like to know more about how we can handle cybersecurity training for your people, get in touch.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.

Should I use the password manager that comes with my browser?

We recommend investing in a standalone password manager instead. Browser-based password managers are less safe. If someone can access your device, they can instantly access all your accounts. Standalone password managers need a master password and do much more than save your credentials. 

How can I make sure remote workers follow our security rules?

As well as setting out the risks of not using your security tools and procedures, create a policy that explains exactly what is expected of your people and the consequences if they’re found to break the rules.

What’s the best productivity tool to start with?

That’s a big question! The answer can be unique to each business, but a well-known solution like Microsoft Teams will give you access to many tools to suit different needs.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.

Hybrid work models have a lot to offer – reduced business expenses, the ability to hire talent from anywhere, and a more flexible work environment. But there are employee challenges that come with a virtual work style, which is why having a solid digital employee experience strategy is so important.

Worker surveys show remote employees struggle with everything from managing work-life balance to exhaustion. A digital employee experience strategy can resolve these problems, prevent burnout, and ensure your teams view your digital work culture as supportive and positive rather than draining or toxic.

Let’s look at the digital employee experience, why it matters, and what strategies and software your organization can use to achieve a better experience for your remote and hybrid teams.

What Is Digital Employee Experience?

Digital employee experience – or DEX – is how your employees feel about and perceive the experience of working for your company as part of a work-from-wherever team. As Forrester analysts Andrew Hewitt and Cheryl McKinnon explain, DEX encompasses the interactions employees have with your company’s technologies, processes, and policy choices.

How easy it is to communicate with co-workers. Company rules surrounding time tracking and work hours. The frequency and length of virtual meetings. Digital company culture. All these concepts fall within DEX.

So, as you look at what you can do to create a digital employee experience strategy, explore ways to improve these issues through the types of software and processes you have in place.

Strategies and Software Solutions to Improve the Digital Employee Experience

Mastering DEX takes planning and collaboration across departments, including HR and IT. But there are a few steps your organization can take to improve the employee experience for your remote or hybrid teams.

1. Set Up Clear Communication Channels

Do your employees know who to reach out to when they have an issue? Is there a feedback loop in place through employee surveys, small group meetings, or manager oversight to identify problems with the digital company culture?

To ensure your people are thriving, set up a process for gathering honest feedback and interacting with employees individually so you can identify and resolve issues immediately. Also, set up a channel for suggestions – your employees can provide insightful ideas that help improve digital processes.

2. Follow Digital Etiquette Best Practices

With a huge rise in remote work over the past couple of years, a few digital etiquette best practices have emerged. Implementing these rules can help to prevent burnout and enable your teams to feel supported at work.

• Be mindful of employees’ time. Don’t force people into the office for the sake of it. If a meeting or task can happen virtually, give people the option.

• Make mental health a priority. Humans are social creatures, and no amount of technological innovation or workplace change will alter that fact. With digital teams, people experience less human interaction, which can lead to feelings of loneliness. To combat this, business leaders and managers can find ways to prioritize mental health, such as setting up a channel for reaching out about issues and encouraging healthy habits, such as exercise, sleeping well, spending time in nature, and taking time for oneself.

• Empower your workers to set healthy boundaries. Use software that has an indicator function so co-workers know when someone is available or not. Technology can also be used to set reminders for your employees to take regular breaks. It’s also important for business owners and managers to set a good example – for instance, if you’re working late at night and answering calls on the weekend, your staff might follow suit.

3. Use a Communications Platform Designed for Hybrid Work

Another key part of the digital employee experience is software. And the most important DEX platform is communications.

For the best experience, your teams need a tool that lets them access all the important communication channels from one place and is easy to use. Ideally, your software helps them save time and simplifies workflows. It should include high-quality video conferencing, chat, file sharing, and more – and it should integrate with other business tools for better data visibility.

Start Improving DEX Today with YeoVoice Powered by Elevate

YeoVoice powered by Elevate offers all the features and functionality you need to boost DEX. It’s a cloud-based solution with industry-leading security, support, and reliability. Learn more today.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at Intermedia.

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IBM’s latest report has revealed a staggering 53% increase in the cost of healthcare data breaches since 2020, marking a concerning trend in the industry. According to the 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report by IBM Security, the average cost of a healthcare data breach in 2022 reached $11 million, representing a $1 million surge from the previous year. In comparison, the global average cost of data breaches across all sectors in 2023 stood at $4.45 million, showing a 15% increase over the last three years, but still only a fraction of healthcare breach costs.

The study analyzed 553 organizations that fell victim to data breaches between March 2022 and March 2023. The healthcare sector experienced the highest average cost among all industries for the 13th consecutive year. Researchers attribute this surge in expenses to the sector’s extensive regulation, critical infrastructure status, and a notable uptick in breaches since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phishing and stolen or compromised credentials emerged as the most common initial attack vectors, accounting for 16% and 15% of breaches, respectively. Even more alarming is that breaches originating from compromised credentials took nearly 11 months on average to identify and contain.

The report emphasized the critical role of early detection and containment in reducing the breach lifecycle and associated costs. Factors that helped mitigate costs included:

• Robust incident response planning and testing.
• Comprehensive employee training.
• The widespread adoption of DevSecOps practices.

Conversely, a shortage of security skills, complex security systems, and noncompliance with regulations led to escalated expenses for affected organizations.

Ransomware attacks posed a significant threat, with almost a quarter of all analyzed ransomware attacks costing organizations an average of $5.13 million. Engaging law enforcement proved instrumental in lowering expenses for those hit by ransomware attacks. Additionally, automated response playbooks and workflows tailored to ransomware incidents facilitated swift and efficient responses.

Despite the surge in costs and complexity in 2023, only 51% of organizations reported increasing security investments after a breach. The top areas for increased spending after a breach were incident response plans and employee training.

In light of these findings, the healthcare industry and other sectors must recognize the severity of data breaches and prioritize robust cybersecurity measures. Early detection, efficient incident response, and a proactive security approach are essential in safeguarding sensitive information and minimizing data breaches’ financial and reputational impact on organizations. By adopting proactive measures, businesses can navigate the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape and shield themselves from the devastating consequences of data breaches.

Source: https://healthitsecurity.com/news/average-cost-of-healthcare-data-breach-reaches-11m

Cybersecurity fatigue is a phenomenon that occurs when people become overwhelmed and desensitized to the constant barrage of cyber threats and security alerts they face on a daily basis.

You may think, “My business is too small to be a target for cybercriminals.”

Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Small and medium businesses (SMBs) are often targeted precisely because they are seen as easier targets. Cybercriminals know that SMBs don’t have the same resources as larger corporations, making them more vulnerable to attacks.

So, how can you tell if your business is suffering from cybersecurity fatigue? Here are a few signs to look out for:

• Your employees are ignoring security alerts or taking shortcuts to get around them
• You’ve had a data breach or cyberattack in the past but didn’t take significant steps to prevent it from happening again
• You’re relying solely on antivirus software to protect your business
• You haven’t updated your security protocols in a while

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to take action. Here are a few ideas to help you combat cybersecurity fatigue and keep your business secure:

1. Invest in employee training. Your employees are your first line of defense against cyber threats. Make sure they understand the risks and are trained in proper security protocols.
2. Use multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification before accessing sensitive information.
3. Keep your software up to date. Many cyberattacks happen because of outdated software that contains vulnerabilities. Make sure all software is regularly updated to the latest version.
4. Partner with a trusted IT support partner. They can provide ongoing support and monitoring of your systems, ensuring that your business stays secure and up to date. If you don’t have a partner, we should talk.

Don’t let cybersecurity fatigue put your business at risk. You can protect your business and enjoy peace of mind by taking proactive steps to improve your security. Remember, the best defense is a good offense! If we can help, get in touch.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.

Voice over internet protocol and the free market has allowed dozens of players into the communications market. While the wealth of options allows a company to select the ideal service, all the alternatives can quickly become overwhelming.

To simplify it, we’ve broken down what a business should look for and the features you need in an office phone provider.

Key Takeaways:

• The best office phone providers do not compromise customer support and reliability.
• Compliance and security are key office phone features.
• Look for unified communications, software integrations, cloud-based service, and advanced features from an internet phone provider.
• A business phone service should provide outstanding call quality at a reasonable price.

1. Excellent Customer Support

All-hours availability and an obsession with satisfaction are necessary in the 21st century. Award-winning support is a particular concern for small and medium-sized businesses that are tight on time and resources. You should have an office phone provider that is a true partner for your success.

2. Impeccable Reliability

What’s better than getting support when a line goes down or you have a problem? Rarely dealing with downtime at all. Find a provider that can guarantee 99.999% uptime. That equates to a little more than five minutes of downtime in a year. Save yourself time and hassle by working with a reliable team as you compare office phone providers.

3. Compliance and Security

With data flowing through the web, you have to be sure that the information is not susceptible to hackers. Data protection guards your customers against headaches and preserves your reputation.

The concern is even more vital if you work in fields with strict regulations, such as legal, healthcare, or financial. Your provider should proactively help you address compliance, security, and privacy requirements so you, your clients, and your partners have peace of mind.

4. Unified Communications

Omnichannel communications are no longer a bonus feature but a modern necessity. Your provider should offer talk, text, video conferencing, online faxing, and screen sharing in one package. Instead of contracting with numerous vendors to handle each aspect of communications, you simplify things by working with one provider. 

5. Productivity Integrations

Office phone providers that care about helping their clients succeed provide an integrations platform that lets you connect your company apps to your communications system. As your communications and productivity apps work hand in hand, you’ll drive customer retention and boost revenue.

6. Communications Archiving

Another issue is the ability to access your emails, calls, chats, and communications data later. Whether you need past conversations for employee reviews, training, compliance, or legal cases, archiving should be easy to deploy, integrate, and use.

Your system should capture all conversations on company channels automatically without you having to take additional steps after activation. An administrative dashboard can offer powerful contextual searches of your archives by content and metadata to isolate relevant information.

7. Cloud-Based Flexibility

More companies are operating on a remote or hybrid basis, meaning team members need access to company communications services at home or on the move. You could let your employees use their own cell phones and email addresses. However, you’d lose the compliance, security, and data ownership inside your communications software. With cloud-based service, your team could still use their own devices while connecting safely to your system.

8. Superior Connection Quality

Broadband internet offers high-definition call quality that analog lines can only dream about. That connectivity also means you can rely on superb service for a worldwide team.

9. Reasonable Pricing

Acquiring advanced features, remote connectivity, and productivity integrations used to require a substantial portion of your budget. Now, stellar office phone providers can offer all of the elements you need for less than what most families spend on groceries.

10. Advanced Features

The features that can enhance your business communications are too many to list here. Be sure to check that your phone system offers common services, such as the following:

• Automated attendants and custom greetings
• Interactive voice response
• Virtual voicemail
• Call analytics
• Vanity and local numbers

With such features, you can craft a business phone system that fits your needs and presents a professional image.

YeoVoice Powered by Elevate: The Top Choice in Office Phone Providers 

The optimal balance between cost, reliability, and features from office phone providers is achieved with a reputable cloud-based system. For the best in professional phone systems, contact Yeo & Yeo Technology to discover how YeoVoice can fill your communications needs.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at Intermedia.

As digital transformation continues to shape the healthcare industry, healthcare organizations must prioritize cybersecurity. These organizations are entrusted with sensitive personal information from patients, making them a prime target for cybercriminals to steal, exploit, or sell the data they acquire, as evidenced by a recent breach at MCNA Dental which impacted 8.9 million patients. 

The healthcare industry is unique in that exposure, loss, or amending of information can have a long-lasting impact on its victims. Unlike credit card information, healthcare information is not easily changed or canceled, which can cause embarrassment, direct health implications, or even lead to targeted scams.

We have seen many examples of this, such as the ransomware attack on a plastic surgery clinic in Florida, which caused patients to receive ransomware notes with the threat of their data being exposed if they were not paid. Similarly, the breach of a psychology hospital in Germany exposed private details about psychiatric patients.

To avoid these scenarios, healthcare organizations should prioritize cybersecurity by implementing robust security measures such as intrusion detection systems, firewalls, and encryption technologies. In addition, organizations should adopt effective cybersecurity policies and ensure regular employee training to combat social engineering techniques like phishing, the most common way cybercriminals breach organizations.

Attackers take advantage of vulnerable employees by sending convincing but fraudulent emails which appear to be from a known or trusted source. Once clicked, these emails allow access to networks or sensitive data. Employee security awareness training ensures they know how to recognize and thwart such attacks.

Finally, it is important for healthcare organizations to work with reliable and trustworthy vendors that have a good track record of implementing effective cybersecurity solutions. This includes conducting regular cybersecurity audits to assess the competency of their current MSP or IT service provider.

The healthcare industry must prioritize cybersecurity. Patient data is sensitive and personal and must be protected. Organizations that do not take these measures seriously risk severe repercussions as cybercriminals constantly evolve their attack strategies. By embedding good security practices, healthcare organizations can build a security culture and mitigate the risk of losing patient data and damaging their reputation.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at KnowBe4.

Google is most people’s first port of call for help or information online – something cybercriminals use to their advantage. Specifically, they target Google ads, impersonating campaigns for popular software such as Grammarly, Slack, Ring, etc. This is nothing to do with those companies but to the untrained eye. They look like the real deal, which is how they’re tricking people into clicking the ads.

If you’re not using an ad blocker, you’ll see promoted pages at the top of your Google search results. These look almost identical to the non-promoted, down-page organic search results, so you or your people could easily be tempted to click.

Google is working to protect us by blocking campaigns it can identify as malicious. But criminals have tricky ways around that too.

Ads first take you to a benign-looking website – which the crooks have created. This redirects you to a malicious site that convincingly impersonates a genuine page. That’s where the malware lurks, waiting for a click, beyond Google’s reach.

Worse, in many cases, you’ll still get the software you’re trying to download, along with a hidden payload of malware. That makes it harder to tell that your device or network has been infected and may give the malware longer to do its job.

To stay protected, train your team about the dangers and make sure everyone is on the lookout for anything that seems like it should be corrected. Encourage people to scroll down the Google results until they find the official domain of the company they’re looking for, and make it a policy that people seek permission before downloading any software – no matter how innocent it may seem.

You could also consider using an ad blocker in your browser. That will filter out any promoted results from your Google search for extra peace of mind.

For help and advice with training and software policies, contact us.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.

My employees use WhatsApp to share work info – should I stop this?

If you already use a communication tool like Teams, your people should keep all work communication there. It’s more secure and can save a lot of time hunting for information.

I’ve heard I can upgrade to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0?

A TPM is a tiny security chip on your machine, which is required by Windows 11. There is a workaround, but our advice is to avoid it. It may mean you miss out on key security updates, which could leave your entire network vulnerable.

I’ve lost my laptop. What do I do?

You should have a response plan in place for this type of incident. Report it to the correct person so data can be wiped remotely to avoid a breach. If you don’t have a plan or remote management in place, Yeo & Yeo Technology can help.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.

Machine learning touches nearly every part of our world and is transforming the way we live, work, and interact with each other, and it isn’t slowing down. However, with its unprecedented growth, it isn’t without risk. It’s essential to understand the potential risks associated with using AI, so you can take the necessary steps to set up processes and guardrails to minimize the risk to you and your organization.

Below are five steps to mitigate risks proactively and safely manage using AI. 

Step 1: Appoint a single lead or a committee to manage the use of AI 

Form a committee with representatives from different teams, such as operations, security, legal, and marketing. This helps ensure all areas of your business are represented, and policies and procedures are comprehensive and effective. 

Step 2: Define your initial use cases 

Define your initial and follow-on use cases. Are you looking to automate routine tasks, generate scripts to address technical issues, provide faster responses to customer queries, or improve customer satisfaction? Most organizations start with a single initial use case and expand from that success. 

Step 3: Where to implement AI 

Initially, you may use the browser-based prompt user interface from OpenAI, ChatGPT, or some of the upcoming Bing tools. Depending on the use case, it might be more advisable to use OpenAI or Azure APIs to integrate AI more directly into your workflows. It’s important to note that any AI tool should not entirely replace human customer service representatives. Instead, it should be used to supplement their efforts and provide faster, more efficient customer service. 

Step 4: Set up guardrails 

Establish guardrails to manage the use of AI. This includes setting up policies and procedures for access to data, training staff to identify potential security threats, and establishing a clear incident response plan. Most importantly, maintain a human in the middle to review, edit, and test any generated script or customer response before it is used.

Step 5: Monitor and refine your processes 

Monitor and refine your AI processes continually, including regularly reviewing policies and procedures, evaluating prompt engineering and the effectiveness of your solution, and ensuring that staff members are trained to use it effectively. It’s important to remain current with industry trends and developments in conversational AI technology to ensure you’re using the most effective solutions available.

By setting up processes and guardrails to take advantage of AI technology, you can improve customer service capabilities and minimize risk. With the right policies and procedures in place, you can use AI to automate routine tasks, provide faster and more personalized responses to customer queries and enhance their overall service offerings.  

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at ConnectWise.

Since the beginning, two types of cyberattacks (known as initial root cause exploits) have composed a majority of successful attacks: social engineering and exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities. These two root causes account for 50% to 90% of all successful attacks. You can be attacked in many other ways (e.g., password guessing, misconfiguration, eavesdropping, physical attacks, etc.). Still, all other types of attacks combined do not equal either of the other two more popular methods.

Social engineering is involved in 50% to 92% of successful attacks, and exploiting unpatched software and firmware accounts for 20% to 40%. There are a lot of crossovers because attackers often use multiple methods to accomplish their malfeasance. For example, a social engineering email will try to convince potential victims to download a trojan-enabled Microsoft Word document that launches an attack against an unpatched vulnerability.

It is the world’s inability to focus on these two top root causes of attacks appropriately that allows hackers and malware to be successful.

You need to do everything you can do to fight social engineering, including implementing good policies, which reduce the risk of social engineering, implementing your best defense-in-depth technical defenses (like content filters, endpoint detection and response software, secure configurations, etc.) to prevent social engineering from getting to end users, and training end users to recognize social engineering that gets past the first two mitigations.

You must aggressively patch software and firmware vulnerabilities used by malicious hackers and malware. What software and firmware vulnerabilities are used by hackers and malware to exploit devices and networks? The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security (CISA) agency has a list of those vulnerabilities, branded as the Known Exploited Vulnerability Catalog. Subscribe to this list, and CISA will send you an email any time a vulnerability gets newly exploited by an attacker for the first time (as far as they know). If you have software or firmware on this list, get it patched as soon as possible.

That is it! These two mitigations, fighting social engineering and patching exploited vulnerabilities, are the two best things most organizations can do to fight hackers and malware. If you do these two things better, the risk that you will be compromised goes way down, and if you do not, vice-versa.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at KnowBe4.

A recent cybersecurity report by Deloitte found that just 11% of IT budgets go into incident response, disaster recovery, and infrastructure security. This could be a dangerous underinvestment.

While it’s vital to keep your data and infrastructure protected with a layered, multi-stranded approach, no network can ever be protected from 100% of attacks. Even if it were possible, it would make your systems hard to live with and would certainly destroy productivity.

That means you need a cyber resiliency plan to help you respond to any cyberattack that does get past your defenses. It requires different thinking than your other resilience plans around physical disasters.

In the case of a flood, for example, your incident response might be to get cleaned up, find a temporary work location, and get your systems online again. But in the case of a ransomware attack, you’d need to investigate how the attack occurred, locate and patch the holes in your defenses, and remove all traces of the attack from your systems.

For a cyberattack, you’ll also have a different RTO – a Recovery Time Objective – which defines how quickly you expect to get back up and running. Your resiliency plan should define that RTO, so you understand what downtime costs you’ll be facing.

Where do you start? We recommend:

1. Improving your security: Hopefully, you’ve already ticked this one off. Make it as hard as possible for crooks to access your systems without creating measures that are so hard to live with they interfere with the smooth running of your business.
2. Monitoring your systems: The sooner you detect an attack, the faster you can respond, which will minimize any damage. You should always monitor suspicious activity, and staff should be trained to spot warning signs.
3. Responding swiftly: Your response plan should be available to everyone in the business and should include information on who to report a suspected breach to and all the steps that should be taken.
4. Making recovery easier: Once an attack is under control, it’s time to recover. That means having a good backup in place and a rehearsed plan for restoring your systems.

If you need help with cyber resiliency or other disaster recovery plans, get in touch today.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.