In the past, companies had to manage extensive computer networks on their own, purchasing servers and networking appliances and allocating physical space for data centers. However, the advent of cloud computing has transformed this landscape significantly. Today, companies can delegate most of their operations to the cloud, retaining only their LANs within their premises. The hybrid approach, where essential parts of the infrastructure remain on-site while other components migrate to the cloud, has gained popularity. Cloud service providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure have played a pivotal role in this shift, offering remarkable agility and flexibility. Cloud computing allows rapid scalability. If a company needs to double its data capacity, a simple adjustment in the subscription plan and some basic configurations can achieve this. Despite these advantages, effective management of cloud assets and cybersecurity remains crucial. Understanding Cloud Asset Management (CAM): When a company transitions its IT assets to cloud networks, these assets, such as hardware, software, and networking entities, become cloud assets. However, ensuring the seamless functioning and security of these cloud-hosted assets require expertise in Cloud Asset Management (CAM). CAM involves meticulous tracking of every aspect of a company’s cloud estate, encompassing maintenance, compliance, upgrading, and disposal of cloud assets. It’s imperative to be aware of the security features offered by cloud service providers and not overlook available security tools, as instances of underutilization have occurred. Challenges and Best Practices in CAM: Visibility into cloud assets presents a unique challenge. You can’t secure what you can’t see, making monitoring a critical practice. Networking monitoring tools become essential for ensuring that cloud providers adhere to Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Monitoring bandwidth and uptime guarantees the reliability of cloud assets, especially when numerous users depend on them simultaneously. Redundancy and automation are key allies in maintaining high uptime. Minimizing single points of failure, having data backups, and employing redundant servers enhance reliability. Automation not only reduces human error but also optimizes efficiency, particularly in repetitive cloud management tasks. A robust risk management plan is vital. Identify potential risks such as natural disasters, cyber attacks, and power outages. Develop specific procedures for each risk and ensure employees are trained accordingly. Security Assurance and Compliance: Critical security measures should be continuously monitored through actionable assessments. Automated systems can rectify vulnerabilities without human intervention, ensuring no security gaps are left unaddressed. Non-compliant cloud resources must be promptly shifted back into compliance, meeting the legal requirements of cloud technology. Incorporating my perspective, effective CAM not only provides security but also offers a strategic advantage. Understanding the nuances of cloud asset management empowers businesses to optimize their cloud usage, control costs, and ensure a seamless migration process. Moreover, it fosters a proactive approach, enabling companies to stay ahead of potential risks and leverage cloud resources to their fullest potential. In conclusion, CAM is pivotal for businesses embracing cloud computing. Remember, your cloud assets deserve the same attention as those behind your firewall. Stay vigilant, stay secure, and leverage the full potential of cloud services for your organization’s growth. Citation: Meena R., Cloud, Luminis India, October 16, 2023, https://luminisindia.com Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
Social media is used by everyone these days, even hackers. Hackers often try to steal your information from social media sites. Even though social media is a useful tool for businesses, it’s important to know what security risks it poses. We’ll show you how to keep your business safe and use social media in a way that doesn’t hurt your business. Why Hackers Target Social Media Accounts Cybercriminals still use phishing emails with malware to attack users. But comments on social media are much more appealing for several reasons. Think about how many people follow a well-known brand. Hackers want to take over the account because they think they can use it to trick many people. The more people who follow a company, the more likely a hacker will steal information from innocent users. Other malicious reasons hackers target social media accounts include: Attempting to tarnish a brand’s reputation Taking advantage of users who lack security awareness Making money from selling personal information How Cybercriminals Attack Social Media Accounts What do these hackers do when they access a business’s social media account? Account takeover is one of the most common threats. The hacker gets your login information and then uses your account to pretend to be you or spread dangerous content. Social media users who are easy to trick are at risk of phishing scams, malware like NodeStealer that targets social networks, and clickbait posts that lead to dangerous websites. Best Ways To Protect Your Business and Make Social Media Safe for Your Company If you’re careful, you don’t have to worry about hackers getting into the social media accounts of your business. These tips can help you protect your business without giving up your use of social media: Be careful when posting pictures: Hackers don’t care about your privacy online, so be careful when posting to a photo-sharing app. It’s best not to let the photo show where you are and to use filters that hide any private information that might be in the photo. Use multi-factor authentication: Experts recommend turning on multi-factor authentication to stop hackers from getting into your account. This is a great way to verify the account owner’s identity by asking you to answer security questions or enter a one-time verification password. Be aware of strange phone calls: Businesses often post their phone number on social media. If someone calls you and says they are from your bank, tell them you need to check the information and will call them back. To avoid a scam, check to see if the caller’s number is the same as the bank’s. It is important to take steps to make sure your business’s social media accounts are safe from hackers to prevent cyber-attacks. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
You check your inbox daily for important emails that help move your business operations forward. But what happens if you’re the target of a distributed spam distraction attack? This common cyber threat floods your inbox with thousands of emails that contain different spam messages. Read on to learn how to fight distributed spam distraction threats and go about your daily routine with greater peace of mind. What Is Distributed Spam Distraction? Distributed spam distraction is an online attack that hackers use to take over your email account. You’ll get tens of thousands of spam emails in a short time. The content of these messages is safe, unlike phishing emails that lead to viruses or the dark web. Your personal information is the main thing that is at risk here. If you start getting strange messages from people you don’t know, someone has hacked into your email account. The tactic of filling your inbox with spam makes it harder for you to see valid emails containing personal information. How To Fight Distributed Spam Distraction Distributed spam distraction is one of the most challenging cyber-attacks to deal with. It requires a multifaceted approach that involves the following tactics. Use Advanced Email Filters Your email already has a spam folder, but when it comes to a distributed spam distraction attack, hackers know how to get around it. Instead, the spam messages will go to your main email, making it hard to find important messages. The problem with this attack is that each email will come from a different sender, so you can’t just block them to stop getting spam. Instead, you should use advanced spam filters with machine-learning algorithms to find trends in spam emails. These filters become more accurate as they adapt and learn new techniques with every message in your inbox. Implement advanced filters throughout your organization to protect your employees from distributed spam distraction, phishing emails, and other cybersecurity threats. Cautiously Share Your Email Be wary of any site that requests your email information. If it doesn’t seem like a safe or reliable source, keep your email address private. Make sure that all of your workers know and follow the best security practices. For example, they shouldn’t open emails from people they don’t know or click on suspicious links or attachments. The following are some practical steps you can take to protect yourself from threats: Regularly update your passwords Set up text or email alerts whenever there’s an online purchase in your name Enable multi-factor authentication for extra security Update your security software Your business can stop distributed spam distraction and other cyber-attacks by updating its security software. If you don’t do this, you leave yourself open to attacks, which could lead to serious security problems and financial loss. Keep your security software updated to give yourself the best chance to fight hackers. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
Hackers steal personal information from people who are vulnerable by making fake websites and sending phishing emails. If you fall for a phishing scam, private information like your credit card number could fall into the wrong hands. You can protect yourself from hackers in several ways, which is good news. Hackers can send phishing emails to business employees when they get their email addresses. They do this to get the workers to give out personal information. Most of the time, hackers want money and will try to get the person they are communicating with to send them their credit card number or information about their bank. If you fall for this scam, your sensitive information is at risk, and you need to move quickly to stop identity theft. How To Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams Phishing is one of the most common cyber-attacks impacting businesses. In a phishing email, the hacker will pretend to be a trusted person, like a bank representative or fellow employee, to trick the receiver into sending sensitive information. Use these tips to stay safe from phishing scams. Recognize the Signs of a Phishing Email Phishing emails are relatively easy to detect since most of them contain the same elements. Look out for any of the following items that are common in phishing emails: Unusual greetings Messages demanding urgent action Content featuring many typos and grammatical errors Strange senders asking you for login credentials or payment information Unknown attachments that use files like .zip, .scr, or .exe If you receive an email that raises your suspicion, don’t click on any links or open any attachments, as they may contain malware. Report the email to an IT professional who can mitigate the threat of further cyber attacks. Set Up Email Filters Your spam folder may automatically fill up with suspicious phishing emails, but savvy hackers are always looking to find ways to avoid the spam filter and get their emails to your inbox. You can set up additional email filters to protect you from scams, such as blocking the sender or flagging emails with strange attachments. Perform Regular Data Backups Protect your data by frequently backing it up to a hard drive or cloud service. If you access your business email on your phone, it’s also wise to back up your mobile data. This ensures that you can access data even if your device is compromised. Install Security Software Boost your protection against phishing scams by using security or antivirus software that guards against hackers and cyber security threats. Make sure that you program automatic software updates so the program actively prevents new threats that may occur. Use Multi-Factor Authentication One of the best ways to protect your accounts from phishing scams is by setting up multi-factor authentication for your email account and any sensitive accounts, like your login to your banking website. You’ll benefit from having additional security since your account will require another form of verification besides your password. This can be a one-time verification passcode, PIN, or correct answer to a security question. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
With hackers and cyber threats on the rise, it’s all your business can do to stay safe in today’s digital climate. Managed IT services are integral for protecting businesses from cyber-attacks. Learn more about what these third-party cloud services do and how they can keep your business safe from outside threats. What Are Managed IT Services? A managed IT service is a third-party resource that oversees your company’s information technology. While managed IT experts are readily available to address any issues with your network, their main goal is to avoid destructive threats. Outsourcing these concerns to an IT service provider ensures your business is in the best position against cyber-attacks. It also means you can save money by reducing the need for in-house IT staff. Your business can benefit from the two main types of service providers. Application Service Providers (ASPs) An ASP is responsible for delivering application software across a business network. This provider will oversee your specific applications, which is extremely helpful for your developers and vendors. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) An MSP can help small and medium-sized companies maintain a secure network. The managed IT services model’s main point is handling your daily IT operations. This option is great if your company wants to reduce your time devoted to fixing service interruptions or network issues. How Managed IT Services Prevent Cyber Threats ASPs and MSPs are excellent resources for different business models. However, the main benefit of these services is their protection against cyber-attacks. Your IT service provider will offer expert support and take action in the following areas. Advanced Network Security Measures Any outsourced IT service will do everything possible to protect your network from threats. This includes activating firewalls and antivirus software. The ultimate goal is to keep hackers from infiltrating and compromising your network. Your IT service provider will also keep your security software up to date to avoid dangerous hacks. You’ll have peace of mind that your business can run smoothly if your network is secure. Data Backup and Recovery Heightened security measures aren’t always enough. If a hacker obtains any sensitive data, you want to be able to access it during an unexpected breach. Managed IT services perform routine data backups so you can easily recover from a potential breach. Research shows that the average cost of a data breach is over $3.9 million. With a managed IT service backing up your data, you can minimize financial loss and maintain customer trust. Threat Management Managed IT services actively monitor potential cyber threats to your computer network. This will give you another layer of protection since an in-house IT team may not be as watchful. Any signs of a threat, such as a suspicious phishing email, will be flagged. From there, your experts will take proactive steps to minimize the threat and keep your business safe for the long term. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
Phones and tablets can help your business grow. Mobile tech can boost profits, make work easier, and get your target market interested. Here’s how you can use mobile tech to your advantage. The Global Reach of Mobile Tech All around the world, smartphone use is increasing. This surge in mobile tech applications leads to more mobile apps and mobile-first businesses. Here’s how companies all over the world are adapting to the mobile tech revolution: Mobile Payments: Businesses are adopting mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and PayPal to make the buying experience smoother. Mobile Messaging Apps: Customers globally are turning to apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for communication. Businesses are using these platforms for customer service and to engage their audience. Emerging Opportunities: Mobile tech is opening up ways for companies to connect with customers and increase sales. These include mobile payments and m-commerce. Additionally, companies are using advanced tech like augmented reality and virtual reality to create customized customer experiences. Mobile tech is expected to play an even larger role in the global business landscape in the future. One significant change on the horizon is the broader rollout of 5G technology. This will create new possibilities for businesses to use mobile tech more innovatively. Mobile Tech and Your Internal Processes Mobile tech helps small businesses, especially with internal processes. It lets you do more without spending a ton of money or time. It is also an effective tool to improve your systems. The following are ways you can use mobile tech to improve your systems: Digital Marketing: Use mobile marketing to boost your brand’s reach. It can help you get more leads and make more sales. Automation: Mobile tech can help automate routine tasks. This includes data entry, keeping track of your stock, and sending out invoices. Data Analytics: Use mobile tech to better understand your internal processes and customers. Data analytics can help you improve how your business works. The Power of Mobile Tech in Sales Customers are going mobile for their shopping and purchases. They’re buying more smartphones and using tablets more. Here are a few ways your business can harness mobile tech to improve your sales: Payment Options: Make paying easy for your customers by offering mobile payment options. Mobile Tools for Sales: Give your sales team mobile tools to help them sell more. QR Codes: Use QR codes to get customers interested in your business. You can also use QR codes to help them buy easier. Cloud-Based Software: Use software in the cloud to work better and save money. Embrace the Mobile Tech Movement Mobile tech is a game changer for businesses. It has revolutionized how companies operate and grow. Whether improving customer service, increasing sales, or making operations more efficient, mobile tech has much to offer. Don’t get left behind. Embrace the mobile tech movement and watch your business thrive. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
Our world is overflowing with data. By 2025, experts anticipate there will be 180 zettabytes of global data. That is an abundance of information. Managing all of this data, however, is a huge responsibility. It could cost a lot of money and even harm the environment if we do not. What Happens When We Waste Data All of this data storage requires energy. That energy is frequently derived from non-renewable sources. Data centers storing all this information are adding to carbon emissions. What’s more, there is not enough accountability for data management. Some businesses are wasting money storing unused and unwanted data. How Business Owners Feel the Pinch For business owners, especially in the IT sector, this is a big problem. Many spend a lot of money storing data they never use again. This waste is increasing as businesses collect more data. This puts a lot of pressure on IT leaders. 75% of them find managing excess data storage a significant stressor. Recognizing When We Waste Data To fix the issue, we first have to recognize the problem. Here are five signs your business might have data waste: If you are not adding the correct metadata. If you think the data has no purpose after you have used it once. If your team does not see value in the data. If there is poor communication between your teams. If your team is finding it hard to interpret the data. Tips for Better Data Management Avoiding data waste is about more than just having good tech. It is about changing how your team thinks about data. It starts with knowing what data you need and how to use it. Here are a few steps you can take: Equip your IT team with the right digital tools to manage data. Make a good plan for how you will handle data. Move your data into the cloud with the help of hyperscale providers. Invest in proper training and best practices. Don’t Drown in Data Managing data properly has become critical. You can make better decisions by understanding what your data is worth and the impact of storing it. Teach your team to understand data. Make a good plan for handling data. Give your IT team the tools they need. Instead of stressing about managing data, turn it into a chance to make your business run smoothly, save money, and protect the environment. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
Your business website is your digital storefront. Its job is to attract visitors and convert them into customers. One thing that affects this process more than you think is how fast your pages load. This is known as page speed. Let’s explore why it’s so vital for your business. What Is Page Speed? Page speed is how quickly a page on your website loads onto a visitor’s device. Google, the most widely-used browser, uses a set of factors called Core Web Vitals to measure this: Largest Contentful Paint – how quickly the main content appears. First Input Delay – the time it takes for your site to respond to a user’s first action. Cumulative Layout Shift – how much your page layout moves while loading. Why Page Speed Matters Roughly 73% of mobile users have run into slow-loading websites. A website is considered slow if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. If your website is slow, you could be losing customers. Here’s why: User Experience: Most users want to start immediately. They will move on to another site if yours is too slow. Search Rankings: Google uses page speed to decide how high your site ranks in its search results. This is true for both mobile and desktop sites. Paid Search Traffic: If your website is slow, your ads may be shown less often and cost more. Mobile Traffic: Most people access the internet from mobile devices, and these websites are slower than desktop ones. What Slows Down Your Site Certain factors can slow down your website, such as: Images that aren’t optimized Large file sizes Inefficient web hosting Complex themes and designs Embedded media from other sites Heavy use of widgets Boosting Your Website’s Speed Luckily, there are ways to make your website load faster. Here are a few essentials: Switch to faster hosting: A faster web host can load your site quicker. It can make a big difference, especially if your host is slow or overcrowded. Choose a simple, SEO-optimized theme: Less complexity means faster load times. Themes with clean code and minimal design elements can significantly improve your site’s speed. A Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN will help load your site faster. A content delivery network stores copies of your site at different locations and allows users to access it from the nearest server. Minify and externalize CSS, JavaScript, and HTML: Minifying involves removing unnecessary characters in your site’s code, reducing its size, and increasing its speed. Compress and reduce files and images: Again, smaller is faster. Using compression tools, you can reduce the file size of images and other resources without affecting their quality. Enable lazy loading for images: This means images load only when needed, only some at a time. Speed Is Game-Changing for Business The loading speed of your company website can be a game-changer for your business. It affects how users experience your site, your rank in search results, and your ads’ performance. Focusing on speed isn’t optional if you want a successful business website. It’s essential. Don’t let slow load times hold you back. If you invest in website loading speed, your business growth also increases. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
In the fight against phishing, Microsoft is one of the industry leaders. Its latest feature, launched in Windows 11 version 22H2, has a design that protects system credentials. The new feature will alert you if you paste your Windows password into a document or website. Impact on Business Owners This measure, part of the Windows 11 Enhanced Phishing Protection, helps businesses safeguard their credentials. You’ll receive a warning if an attempt is made to paste system passwords. By warning you of potential threats, it serves as an added layer of security for your business. Navigating the New Feature When you use the new feature, a window will appear if a Windows password is pasted into a website. It warns you about the risks of reusing passwords. It also suggests changing your local Windows account password and provides a link to the settings for an easy change. Potential Limitations Note that this feature might not work with third-party applications like Notepad2 and Notepad++. Moreover, the warning won’t trigger if you’re using Windows Hello, Microsoft’s password-less login feature. For this alert system to work, you’ll need to use a password to log into Windows, store it in the system memory, and reference it against pasted text. Ensuring Optimal Usage This feature is a significant stride toward more secure business operations. Here are a few tips to further optimize your system: Keep your system up-to-date. This will help you get the latest security features. Teach your team the risks of pasting system passwords into sites or documents. Encourage unique passwords for different accounts. Use multi-factor authentication when you can. This adds more security. Change passwords regularly. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Watch for strange activity or unusual login attempts. Make regular backups. This keeps your data safe. Use a password management tool. These tools can generate and store complex passwords. Embrace the Change for Enhanced Security Windows 11’s anti-phishing measure is a welcome addition to business security. This proactive approach from Microsoft is a vital step toward a safer business operation. By staying updated, utilizing this new feature, and adopting cybersecurity practices, you can provide your business with robust protection against online threats. Embrace the change and ensure a secure future for your business. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
In the online world, cookies are not tasty treats. “Third-party cookies” can cause damage. These cookies are data bits stored on your computer by a site different from your browsing site. These cookies can track what you do across many websites. Cookies can create security risks for businesses. What Are Third-Party Cookies? Third-party cookies originate from a different site than the one you’re visiting. They often provide content, like ads, on your browsing site. These cookies can track what you do on different sites. They keep tabs on the pages you visit and the items you put in shopping carts. That’s called cross-site tracking. Security Risks of Third-Party Cookies Third-party cookies can lead to some significant security issues. Here’s why: Browsing Data Theft: Cybercriminals can steal your browsing data. This data includes the sites you visit, your searches, and items you buy online. It can also include saved passwords and where you’re located. Data Leakage: Sometimes, a site might leak or give away your data. This can happen if the site uses malicious third-party services. Targeted Attacks: With your browsing data leaked, hackers can make personalized attacks. These attacks can harm your business financially or damage your reputation. Improving Your Security Many web browsers are working to stop third-party cookies. In recent years, they have added new ways to block these cookies. But be aware that a new browser might not block these cookies immediately. Protecting your business from third-party cookie risks is essential. Here are some steps you can take: Check Your Browser Settings: Make sure your browser blocks third-party cookies. You might have to change your settings to do this. Limit Sharing: Be careful about the data you share online. The less data you share, the less there is to steal. Use Reliable Third-Party Services: If you use third-party services, choose the ones that protect your data. Educate Your Team: Ensure your team knows about third-party cookies. They should know how to protect their data as well. Crumbling the Third-Party Cookie Ultimately, understanding third-party cookies is critical to your business’s online safety. These cookies seem harmless. But they can give hackers the information they need to harm your business. You can protect your business by blocking these cookies and being careful with your data. Regarding third-party cookies, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember, your business’s security is too important to risk. So, stay informed and alert to keep safe. Explore a wealth of information on our website https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our Socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter