Are you second-guessing how well your network is aligned with your goals? Is your business struggling to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology? It’s time to consider a consultation with a professional. Having the insight of an industry expert can help your business in many ways, and the last thing you should want is for your company to remain stagnant.
In today’s digital world, having a strategy is critical for success. And with solid IT management consulting, your business can develop strategic initiatives to better reach your goals and objectives. Keep reading to understand more.
An IT consultant is an experienced professional who specializes in information technology. They provide businesses with expert advice and assistance on IT-related matters, which ultimately helps improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity. Since they analyze every part of the network, they’re great for implementing new technologies, developing an effective strategy, and managing IT systems.
As a business leader, you might be wondering why you need outside help when you already have an in-house team. While many have successfully gotten by with their regular network support, having an IT consultant can add an extra layer of expertise and experience.
Otherwise, you could be at a much higher risk for security breaches, data loss, and other technological disasters. And if your business is smaller, or you don’t have the funds to properly address these issues, your company could be in serious trouble.
An IT strategy consultant will help:
While your business can always benefit from their insight, there are specific times when investing in these services are especially necessary. If you are inexperienced with having a robust network infrastructure, you should consider hiring an IT consultant to help jumpstart your strategy. They can provide expert advice and guidance on the best technologies, security protocols to adopt, and other processes that will help businesses maximize efficiency and reduce costs.
Businesses should also consider hiring an IT consultant when implementing new technologies or upgrading existing ones. Even if your company has a dedicated team of network specialists, if these experts are only trained to work with a particular type of technology, you could be limiting your options. An experienced IT consultant with a diverse portfolio can help businesses identify the right solutions for their needs, ensure successful implementation of those solutions, and provide ongoing support.
Plus, as businesses become increasingly reliant on technology, the demand for IT infrastructure consulting will continue to grow. Many enterprises are already taking advantage of these services to help them set up and maintain their networks and databases, as well as develop new applications and software.
If you’ve decided that IT consulting is the way to go, you should take all the necessary steps to ensure you find the right provider.
1. Begin by researching IT management consulting firms that specialize in the specific needs of your business. Look for those with a proven track record of success and customer service.
2. Ask for references from the companies you’re considering and evaluate the feedback and testimonials from their previous clients.
3. Consider their services and experience in areas such as technology strategy, cloud computing, security, data storage, system integration, and more.
4. Evaluate their pricing structure to ensure it fits your budget and delivers the best ROI for your business.
5. Have a conversation with the consultant to discuss their experience and expertise in the specific area of IT that you need help with.
6. Draft an agreement outlining the scope of work, payment terms, timeline, and other expectations.
At Onward Technology, we understand technology is key to a successful business. That’s why our team of expert IT consultants is dedicated to helping companies in Utah and beyond with all their information technology needs. Our experienced professionals have the knowledge, skills, and resources to help you get the most out of your investments.
As a full-service managed services provider (MSP), our IT Consulting services cover it all, including:
Likability and providing a people-first experience are our core focus, and we ensure anyone representing our company will solve your technology issues while delivering excellent customer service.
In our technology-oriented landscape, having a sound IT infrastructure is the key to a business’s success. But without proper cybersecurity protocols that can anticipate and respond to threats, companies can be exposed to costly data breaches and other malicious threat actors.
If you rarely check your organization’s cybersecurity controls or haven’t at all, you may be doing your business a disservice. Educate yourself on the importance of remaining vigilant and understand:
A cybersecurity risk assessment is an evaluation of the security status within an organization that identifies potential vulnerabilities in its infrastructure. This assessment includes physical access, authentication mechanisms, network architecture, communications protocols, system configurations, and more. By identifying these areas of vulnerability, organizations can take proactive measures to prevent or mitigate cyberattacks such as malware infections, data theft, or phishing attempts.
The frequency of your cybersecurity assessment depends on many factors, like:
As a general rule of thumb, most organizations should consider performing a cybersecurity risk assessment at least once every year or two. However, organizations with large networks or more demanding security requirements may want to consider performing assessments more frequently—like every six months, for example—to ensure their systems remain secure.
On top of the frequency of assessments, there are several other important things to consider to ensure you’re getting a quality assessment.
For one, your security risk assessment should cover all security areas—like access control, data protection, disaster recovery, incident response plans, and user training—to provide a complete picture of your security strength. You should also make sure the risk level assessment is performed by qualified professionals with experience identifying these potential risks and weaknesses.
No organization is immune from cybersecurity threats, and, unfortunately, many organizations mistakenly believe that they can simply install antivirus software or firewalls and consider themselves safe from attacks.
While this approach is a great measure, it doesn’t provide an adequate level of protection most businesses need and fails to address the many different kinds of attacks that occur. As you gain an in-depth understanding of the importance of regular cybersecurity risk assessments, understand the immense benefits your business could miss without them.
Without regularly assessing an organization’s IT infrastructure, attackers can exploit weaknesses or vulnerabilities that would otherwise have been identified and addressed. This can lead to devastating data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, or even regulatory action.
Additionally, you could be even more at risk if you have a small business. Typically, smaller or less-established organizations may need more resources or trained personnel to respond quickly and efficiently in the event of an attack. So while the cyber-risks are the same for businesses of all sizes, some companies may be more equipped to recover from a severe hit than others.
Whether it’s a cybersecurity risk or IT infrastructure assessment in general, there are numerous benefits your business can receive:
The main benefit of the risk assessment process is that it helps organizations identify any areas where their systems are vulnerable to attack, allowing them to make any necessary changes to improve their security. When left unchecked, these vulnerabilities can provide access for malicious actors to infiltrate an organization’s network and potentially steal sensitive data or disrupt services.
Another benefit of regular cybersecurity risk assessments is that they can help organizations stay compliant with regulations and industry standards. Many organizations are subject to data privacy laws and regulations like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) that require the implementation of specific security protocols, such as encryption tools or two-factor authentication.
By performing periodic assessments, organizations can be sure that they are meeting these requirements and avoiding any potential fines or legal repercussions due to non-compliance.
Finally, regular cybersecurity risk assessments can clue businesses into areas where they may need more resources or personnel to maintain the highest levels of security.
For example, if an assessment reveals weaknesses in password management systems or outdated software, the organization may need additional personnel dedicated to managing user accounts and updating software. By recognizing these issues ahead of time, organizations can be proactive in their cybersecurity strategy.
When it comes to cybersecurity risk assessments, Onward Technology is the perfect choice for your business. Cybercriminals are using more advanced technology than ever before, and we’re here to equip companies with adequate security controls to protect their most precious assets. With our experience, expertise, and dedication, your company can remain protected from cyberattacks as you continue to work toward your business goals.
Our core focus is built on providing a people-first experience where results matter, and that’s why our team of certified professionals is committed to helping you achieve your goals while delivering an outstanding customer service experience. When you give us a call, you’ll get a taste of what a people-first approach looks like.
Regardless of your organization’s size, your network infrastructure is essential for your business’s success. With the help of a reputable managed service provider, you can keep your business technology in the best shape and meet your goals without any interruptions.
Read this guide to learn:
A managed service provider (MSP) is a third-party vendor that provides customized information technology solutions to businesses. MSPs offer many IT services to large and small businesses alike, including network security and monitoring, help desk support, IT consulting, employee training, and more.
These service companies are designed to simplify the technical needs companies have and alleviate the financial burden of internally hiring a service professional. This way, businesses who complete a service level agreement form with the provider can benefit from cost-effective tech solutions that elevate their brand.
With an MSP, your company can benefit in various ways. As previously mentioned, one of the main draws is the saved revenue companies get when they can streamline all of their IT needs to one vendor. Instead of shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars buying software or training new employees, your business can get all the regular service offerings from a technology partner for a fraction of the cost.
The financial benefits, however, are only a small portion of the perks business owners get with an MSP. You’re also entitled to:
When selecting a managed service provider, several vital steps must be taken to ensure you get the best provider for your business.
Before selecting an MSP, you should account for what you expect the provider to do for your business. Consider the kind of services your business needs and how often you need support. Also, think about where your business lacks up-to-date technology and may be open to vulnerabilities.
After identifying your needs, it’s time to start researching potential MSPs. For example, if you’re a part of the many companies in Utah, start searching terms like “managed service providers in Utah” to get specialized results for the top providers in your area. From there, you can observe which qualities best fit your business.
First and foremost, you want to look for a reliable MSP with a proven track record of success. The MSP should also be up-to-date on the latest technologies and have experience managing IT projects in your industry.
Additionally, you should ensure that the MSP provides comprehensive services that ensure maximum efficiency. Finally, the cost is always an important factor, so make sure that the provider offers competitive rates and a cost-effective solution for your business.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions that’ll give you a better idea of what the provider can do for your business. Ask about their experience in your industry, their customer service policies, and their security measures. Question how they can help you manage your day-to-day operations and align their services with your goals.
Once you’ve identified several potential MSPs, compare them to each other to determine which one provides the services you need at a price you can afford.
Onward Technology is the perfect managed service provider for businesses of all sizes. As an industry leader, we provide comprehensive and cost-effective IT services that keep your business’s technology running smoothly and efficiently. We find that any problems with a provider can be tackled with a three-tier approach that works for all our clients:
Whether you operate a small business or large enterprise, Onward Technology has the expertise and resources to provide reliable and secure IT services. Our team of certified professionals is here to help with managed services that can help businesses improve performance and productivity, like:
If you're the owner or manager of a small business who has central involvement in daily company operations, a term you're likely familiar with -- whether specifically or just conceptually -- is "pain point." A pain point refers to certain challenges or common issues that you or your team fact, and finding effective solutions for pain points is important -- and managed IT services are often a great tool here.
At Onward Technology, we're proud of how our managed IT and tech support services help support Utah businesses of all sizes, including small businesses. From our 24/7 on-demand support to various network setup and security programs, we have you covered completely. What are some of the pain points services like ours help alleviate for small businesses? Here are several to consider.
Employees missing time is a common situation within any business, and two of the most common reasons for this are sick days and paid time off (PTO). And while managed IT services certainly can't stop your employees from sometimes missing days, they absolutely can offer protection from vulnerabilities that may arise when certain employees are off work.
For instance, say an employee who handles a lot of your company's network security needs goes on vacation. This can leave your business's data and systems exposed to possible threats if you don't have proper IT coverage. But with our managed services in place, you can rest assured that even when certain employees are away, your business is still being protected against any potential risks.
Another major pain point for small businesses is data loss, whether due to system crashes or other issues. Losing important data can mean big trouble for your business, but our managed IT services can help prevent this from happening. We can set up regular backups of your data so that even if something does happen to your system, you'll always have a recent copy to fall back on. And if data loss does occur, our team can help you recover it quickly and efficiently.
Pain points don't always have to be major disasters; sometimes, they can be more mundane, day-to-day tasks that take up valuable time and resources. For example, if your employees are spending a lot of time each day dealing with IT issues, that's time they're not spending on revenue-generating tasks.
Our managed IT services can help here as well by taking care of many of the common IT tasks that your employees would otherwise have to deal with. This includes things like patch management, software updates, and troubleshooting. By taking care of these tasks for you, we free up your employees' time so they can focus on more important things.
As many small business owners can tell you, it's hard to find consistent, reliable IT help. This is often due to high turnover rates in the IT industry, which can leave small businesses in a bind if they don't have managed services in place.
With our managed IT services, you don't have to worry about this because we provide a team of experienced IT professionals who are there to help whenever you need it. And because we're a managed service provider, we have the scalability to grow with you as your business expands. There's no need to hamstring yourself with a small, in-house IT team when you can take advantage of our managed services.
Simply put, no matter how dedicated you are as a business owner or manager, no one wants to be spending every waking hour dealing with IT issues. But when you don't have managed services in place, that's often what it takes to keep things running smoothly.
With our managed IT services, you can rest assured that someone is always there to help when you need it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you're dealing with a system crash in the middle of the night or an employee issue first thing in the morning, we're here to help.
Depending on your business type, you may find that you're dealing with the same IT issues over and over again. And while it's important to have someone available to help when these issues arise, it can be even more important to have a system in place that can automatically detect and resolve these issues before they cause major problems.
Our managed IT services include automated responses to common IT issues, so you can rest assured that your business is always running smoothly. And if an issue does arise that can't be resolved automatically, our team is available 24/7 to help resolve it quickly and efficiently.
Finally, for some businesses, pain points are of the unknown variety: Surprise issues that tend to pop up at the worst possible times. For example, you may find that you need to unexpectedly upgrade your software or replace hardware that's failed.
With our managed IT services, you can avoid these surprises by having a team in place that's always keeping an eye on things and proactively addressing potential issues before they cause problems. This way, you can focus on running your business, safe in the knowledge that your IT needs are being taken care of.
In conclusion, managed IT services can be a valuable asset for any small business owner or manager who wants to avoid pain points. By taking care of common IT tasks, providing 24/7 support, and proactively addressing potential issues, our team can help you keep your business running smoothly. Contact us at Onward Technology to learn about all of our tech support services to businesses around Utah!
There are a number of considerations to make if you're the owner or operator of an emerging business in any sector, and one of these across numerous industries is managed IT and tech support. Provided by what are known as MSPs, or managed service providers, this sort of support is absolutely vital as you look to protect business data and make systems as efficient as possible to facilitate growth in your company.
At Onward Technology, we're proud to offer a variety of IT services to clients large and small, including emerging businesses looking for assistance in this area. From simple IT procurement to cybersecurity, 24/7 support and more, we have you covered in every realm you might need help with. What are some of the top ways emerging companies should be leveraging services like ours? Here's a basic primer.
As you're building out your business, you might not have a huge in-house IT staff yet - or any at all. In this case, working with an MSP to optimize and manage your network can save you a lot of headaches down the line. We can help ensure that your systems are running smoothly and efficiently from the start, which will set you up for success as you continue to expand.
For instance, let's say you're setting up a new office. We can come in and get everything set up for you, from the cabling to the WiFi network and more. Then, we'll monitor and manage it all remotely so that you don't have to worry about a thing. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on other aspects of running your business.
Cyber attacks are becoming more and more common, and they can be devastating for businesses of all sizes. If you're not prepared, you could end up losing critical data or even facing legal repercussions if sensitive information is leaked. This is why it's so important to have robust cybersecurity measures in place, and an MSP can help you do just that.
At Onward Technology, we offer a range of services designed to keep your data safe, including firewall installation and configuration, intrusion detection and prevention, and more. We'll work with you to assess your risks and put together a customized plan to address them. This way, you can sleep soundly knowing that your data is well-protected.
Another major consideration for businesses in many industries is compliance. Depending on the type of business you're in, there may be certain regulations you need to adhere to - and if you don't, you could face serious penalties. This is yet another area where working with an MSP can be extremely helpful.
At Onward Technology, we have a team of compliance experts who are well-versed in a variety of regulations, including HIPAA, PCI, GDPR and more. We can help you ensure that you're meeting all the necessary requirements and take care of all the paperwork involved. This way, you can avoid any potential problems down the line.
Some mistakenly assume that managed IT is a fully-outsourced experience. And while it's true that elements of this process may often be handled by remote teams, that's not always the case. In fact, in many instances, working with an MSP can actually help to strengthen your existing IT team.
For example, say you have a limited IT staff but are looking to expand. In this case, we can provide supplemental support to help take some of the pressure off your team. We can also offer training and development opportunities to help them grow their skills and knowledge. This way, you can build a strong in-house IT team that will be able to handle anything that comes your way.
Relatedly, one of the main benefits of working with an MSP is that it can free up your IT team to focus on more strategic initiatives. Rather than being bogged down by day-to-day tasks, they can focus on projects that will help move your business forward.
For instance, say you're looking to implement a new CRM system. Your IT team can work with our team of experts to plan and carry out the project, while we handle the day-to-day management of your network. This way, you can be confident that the project will be carried out successfully and your team will be able to focus on other important initiatives.
Finally, one of the single largest benefits of working with an MSP is that it can help you save money. When you outsource your IT management, you no longer need to worry about the costs associated with hiring and training in-house staff. Additionally, by entrusting us with the management of your network, you can avoid the costly mistakes that often come with managing complex systems.
At Onward Technology, we pride ourselves on being a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. We offer a variety of pricing models to choose from, so you can find one that fits your budget. And because we're constantly keeping up with the latest technology, you can be confident you're getting the best possible value for your money.
For more on how managed IT and IT support services can play a big role in your emerging company's operations, or to learn about any of our programs in these areas, speak to the team at Onward Technology today.
When it comes to the realm of protecting your devices and network from threats, the broad term that most people are generally familiar with is "cybersecurity." However, this major area has several sub-categories or related themes that are often incorporated into or around it, and one of these that's become much more well-known in the IT world in recent years is called "cyber resiliency."
At Onward Technology, we're happy to assist a huge range of business clients with all their network security and related IT needs, with 24/7 real-time monitoring we apply to numerous different clients and needs. What's meant when discussing cyber resiliency, and what are some simple ways to achieve this approach in your business network? Here's a basic rundown.
You've heard of cybersecurity, and you've also likely heard of disaster recovery (if you haven't heard this latter term, it speaks to having a solid plan in place to quickly get your business operational again after a serious event such as data loss, malware attack, etc.). Cyber resiliency is somewhere in the middle of these two concepts, and can be defined as a proactive and holistic approach to cybersecurity that also incorporates disaster recovery concepts.
In other words, cyber resiliency is about taking multiple efforts to ensure all company data is private, protected, backed-up -- and maybe most importantly, recoverable in case of any type of incident.
The concept of cyber resiliency has become much more prominent in business networking conversations for a few reasons. First, as noted, attacks on all types and sizes of businesses are becoming more common (and often more sophisticated), so there's a heightened need to have stronger protection in place. Second, "cyber incidents" can come in many forms and cause different levels of damage, so it's important to have a plan that can address any type of issue that might come up.
Consider the data breaches at Yahoo and Equifax: In both cases, massive amounts of customer data were stolen by hackers. But while the Yahoo breach was eventually blamed on a state-sponsored actor, the Equifax incident was caused by a much more common type of cyber attack. So while the effects were similar (loss of customer trust, millions spent on recovery efforts, etc.), the root cause was different -- and each required a different type of response.
In other words, a "one size fits all" approach to cybersecurity and disaster recovery simply isn't enough anymore. You need a multi-faceted, proactive plan that can address any type of incident -- and this is where cyber resiliency comes in.
Our next several sections will go over how to achieve cyber resiliency within your business, plus how our team will help.
Simply put, it's hard for most organizations to achieve cyber resiliency on their own. Cybersecurity is a huge and complex topic, with new threats emerging all the time. And while you might have in-house IT staff, they likely don't have the bandwidth or expertise to keep up with everything that's going on in this realm.
This is where professional support comes in. A trusted Managed Services Provider (MSP) like Onward Technology can serve as your "virtual IT department," keeping an eye on your network around the clock and responding quickly to any incidents that might come up.
And when it comes to disaster recovery, an MSP can provide invaluable assistance in developing and testing a comprehensive plan -- so you know exactly what needs to be done in case of an incident, and can have confidence that your plan will work as intended. In other words, partnering with a reputable MSP is one of the best ways to achieve cyber resiliency for your business.
Onward Technology is proud to offer comprehensive cybersecurity and IT support services to businesses of all sizes. We'll work with you to assess your specific needs and put together a custom plan that will help you achieve your goals -- including cyber resiliency.
As you're working with our team to develop a cyber resiliency plan, one of the first steps we'll take is to analyze the risks your business faces and what your specific goals are.
This will help us understand what types of incidents are most likely to occur, how much damage they could cause, and which systems and data are most critical to your operations. We'll also consider any compliance requirements you might have (e.g. HIPAA, PCI, etc.), as these will need to be taken into account in your disaster recovery plan.
From there, we'll work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy that will help you meet your goals and protect your business from the types of incidents that are most likely to occur.
As part of our risk analysis process, we'll also help you create a "baseline expectation" for your business -- in other words, what's the minimum level of service you need to maintain in order to keep your operations running?
This is important because it will serve as the starting point for your disaster recovery plan. For example, if you're a retail business, you might need to be able to process transactions and fulfill orders within a certain time frame in order to keep your customers happy.
On the other hand, if you're a healthcare provider, you might need to have systems in place that allow you to access patient records quickly and efficiently -- even in the case of a major outage.
Once we have a clear understanding of your baseline expectation, we'll work with you to develop a plan that will help you meet (or exceed) it -- no matter what type of incident might occur.
For more on how to achieve cyber resiliency for your business, or to learn about any of our managed IT or IT support services, speak to the team at Onward Technology today.
There are a number of facilities that have several common needs in the IT support and related fields, and schools and other educational services are definitely among these. Having a reliable network is vital for schools and other educational programs to maintain numerous student devices and solutions, and working with quality IT professionals is typically the way to go here.
At Onward Technology, we're proud to provide the very best IT support and related services to educational facilities throughout Utah, allowing them to maintain a strong and reliable network that can support all of their needs. We understand the importance of having a quality network in place, and we're committed to helping our clients achieve this goal. Why is it so important for such facilities to have this kind of support? Here are several reasons.
Digital learning tools have become a massive part of the education landscape in recent years, and it's only going to become more prevalent in the years to come. As such, it's more important than ever for educational facilities to have a secure network in place that can protect these tools and the data they contain.
With the help of Onward Technology, you can be confident that your network is secure and able to withstand any potential threats. We'll work with you to identify any vulnerabilities in your system and implement the necessary solutions to mitigate them.
For example, we can help you implement a comprehensive security plan that includes firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and more. We'll also work with you to create policies and procedures that will help keep your network secure, such as proper password management and access control measures.
Privacy is of vital importance for everyone, and students are definitely no exception. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of student data being breached, and this is something that educational institutions need to be aware of.
With the help of Onward Technology, you can be confident that your network is secure and able to protect the privacy of your students. We'll work with you to implement the necessary security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems. We'll also help you create policies and procedures that will ensure the privacy of your students, such as proper password management and access control measures.
With the support of a quality IT company like Onward Technology, you can save a significant amount of money on your operating costs. We'll work with you to find ways to improve your efficiency and reduce your overall IT spend.
For example, we can help you consolidate your data center and server infrastructure, which can save you a considerable amount of money on power and cooling costs. We can also help you implement virtualization and cloud technologies, which can further reduce your operating costs.
Another important benefit of working with Onward Technology is that we can help you improve the productivity of your staff. We'll work with you to find ways to streamline your processes and procedures, which can save your staff a considerable amount of time.
For example, we can help you automate your desktop and application deployment, which can reduce the amount of time your staff spends on manual tasks. We can also help you implement remote access solutions, which can allow your staff to work from anywhere at any time.
For any and all of your IT support needs, Onward Technology offers regular maintenance services that can keep your network up and running smoothly. Our team of experienced professionals will proactively monitor your system for any potential issues and address them in a timely manner.
In addition, we offer 24/7 support for all of our clients, so you can be confident that someone will always be available to help you if you have any problems.
It's natural for some students to use digital resources for purposes that don't quite fit the educational mission of schools. While there's nothing wrong with students using the internet for personal reasons, it's important to make sure that they're not spending too much time on non-educational websites.
Onward Technology can help you monitor your network usage and ensure that your students are spending their time on educational websites. We can also help you implement content filtering solutions that can block non-educational websites.
For many educational facilities, the simple size and breadth of physical infrastructure can be daunting. Maintaining and repairing this infrastructure can be a full-time job, and it's often one that's best left to the professionals.
Onward Technology offers physical infrastructure support services that can take care of all of your repair and maintenance needs. Our team of experienced professionals will work with you to keep your infrastructure in top condition, and we'll be there to help you if anything ever goes wrong.
Finally, Onward Technology offers cloud management services that can help you take advantage of the many benefits of cloud computing. We'll work with you to deploy and manage your applications in the cloud, and we'll help you ensure that your data is always safe and secure.
We understand that each educational institution has its own unique needs, and we'll work with you to develop a custom cloud solution that meets your specific requirements.
Onward Technology is dedicated to providing quality IT support and services to educational institutions. We understand the importance of having a reliable network, and we'll work with you to ensure that your system is always up and running smoothly. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with any needs your Utah educational facility may have.
Within the realm of cybersecurity, the broad category of malware is one that businesses need to be aware of. One of the most significant threats within this area, especially over the last few years, is what's known as ransomware.
At Onward Technology, we're here to provide high-quality cybersecurity and related IT support services to numerous business clients, and ransomware is just one of many threat types we help protect you against. What is ransomware, how does it work, and what are some of the steps we'll help you take to ensure it doesn't become a risk for your company? Here's a basic primer.
For those new to this realm, ransomware refers to a type of malware that either encrypts or erases critical data on a system and then demands payment from the user in order to restore access. Ransomware attacks can target both individuals and organizations, but businesses are increasingly being targeted by this type of attack.
There are two common types of ransomware: locker ransomware and crypto ransomware. Locker ransomware essentially "locks" users out of their systems until a ransom is paid, while crypto ransomware uses encryption to make data inaccessible until a ransom is paid. There are also different types of methods used to distribute ransomware, including phishing emails (which trick users into clicking on malicious links or attachments), drive-by downloads (which automatically download malware when users visit certain websites), and even USB devices that have been infected with malware.
In the majority of cases, ransomware is spread through what are known as user-initiated actions. These refer to the types of activities where users inadvertently download or install malware on their devices. This can happen in a number of ways, but some of the most common include:
In some cases, ransomware can also be spread through "system-initiated" actions. This generally happens when devices are connected to a network that has already been infected with malware. Once the malware is on a network, it can quickly spread to other connected devices.
There are a few key reasons why ransomware is such a dangerous threat, especially for businesses. First of all, ransomware can be very difficult (and sometimes even impossible) to remove once it's infected a system. Second, paying the ransom doesn't guarantee that you'll get your data back – in fact, there's no guarantee that the attacker will even provide you with the decryption key after receiving payment.
And finally, ransomware can have a significant financial impact on businesses, as not only do companies have to pay the ransom but they also face the cost of downtime and lost productivity. For many businesses, the costs associated with a ransomware attack can be devastating.
Unfortunately, ransomware variants have begun to spring up that are even more dangerous than those that have come before. In particular, there are now ransomware variants that not only encrypt data but also threaten to publicly release it unless a ransom is paid. This type of attack is known as "ransomware as a service" or RaaS.
With RaaS attacks, businesses face the risk of not only losing access to their data but also having that data leaked publicly. This can be extremely damaging to a business, both in terms of the financial impact and the reputational damage.
The best way to protect your business against ransomware is to prevent attacks from happening in the first place. There are several themes that should likely be considered here (themes our team will be happy to assist you with):
For more on what ransomware is and how to steer clear of it within your business's operations, or to learn about any of our cybersecurity or other managed IT services, speak to our team at Onward Technology today.
There are several important elements when it comes to your business's tech and device setup and efficiency, and one of these is the age of specific components involved. Older technology will naturally have more issues than newer tech, and there may come a point where old hardware or software that's still being used in major ways will be costing your business money in real time.
At Onward Technology, we're here to stop this from happening to you. Our quality IT procurement services allow our clients to get fantastic deals on both hardware and software for all their needs, meaning you can upgrade from your older equipment at affordable costs that allow you to stay efficient. What are some of the risks of sticking with older hardware or software in your setup? Here are several.
Perhaps the single largest risk you're opening yourself up to by continuing to use old hardware or software is security concerns. If a device or program hasn't been updated in several years, the security protocol surrounding it will be incredibly out of date. This leaves you vulnerable to all sorts of attacks, both external and internal, that could cost your business dearly.
For instance, an employee could unknowingly download malware onto an old computer, which could then spread throughout your network and encrypt all your data until a ransom is paid. This sort of thing happens more often than you might think, and it's almost always to businesses with outdated technology.
Another major issue you'll run into is lost productivity. Older hardware will take longer to perform the same tasks as newer hardware, and this can quickly add up when multiplied across your entire team. This difference might only be a few seconds per task, but over the course of a day or a week, it can really add up.
And if you're still using old versions of software, you're likely not taking advantage of all the new features and capabilities that have been added in recent years. This can again lead to lost productivity as your team tries to make do with outdated tools.
Older hardware and software will also generally require more maintenance than newer tech. This is because they're more prone to breaking down and because there are often fewer people who know how to properly maintain and repair them. As a result, you'll likely see your IT maintenance costs go up if you're still using older tech.
All of these factors can really add up, and they can have a serious impact on your business's bottom line. That's why it's so important to keep your technology up to date. And with Onward Technology's IT procurement services, you can do just that without breaking the bank.
If you have any questions about our services or how we can help you upgrade your tech, don't hesitate to contact us today. We'll be happy to answer any of your questions and point you in the right direction!
If you're a business that's on an upward trajectory, you're naturally looking for ways to become more and more efficient within your processes while growing at scale. There are a number of approaches you may take here, and one that's proven enormously successful for many such companies is the outsourcing of important IT and tech support services to quality professionals.
At Onward Technology, we're proud to offer a huge range of such services, from IT procurement and security services to 24/7 on-demand support for all your Utah business needs. What are some of the major benefits growing companies throughout the state have found from working with quality tech support companies like ours? Here's a rundown.
Some may be worried about the costs of outsourcing IT themes to a third party, but in reality, such services from a quality provider will actually save you money in the long run. How? Well, for one thing, you'll no longer need to keep an in-house team of IT professionals on staff full-time. This can be a very expensive proposition, especially if you need to maintain a high level of expertise within your team.
By outsourcing your IT services to Utah business specialists like Onward Technology, you can avoid these high costs while still enjoying access to the same quality of service - or even better. We're able to do this because we keep our overhead low and only staff IT professionals who are absolutely top-notch in their field.
Related to the first point, another major benefit of outsourcing your IT services is that you'll have access to a much wider pool of expertise than you would if you only had an in-house team. When you work with Onward Technology, you're tapping into a team of professionals with years of experience and a wealth of knowledge at their disposal.
This way, no matter what sort of IT challenge you're facing, you can be confident that we have the skills and experience necessary to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Cybersecurity is a huge concern for businesses of all sizes, but it's especially important for those that are growing rapidly. As your company expands, you'll have more and more data to protect, and more potential entry points for hackers to exploit.
When you outsource your IT security needs to a quality provider like Onward Technology, you can rest assured knowing that your data is in good hands. We have the latest and greatest security tools and technologies at our disposal, and our team of experts knows how to use them to keep your data safe.
As we noted above, growing companies are looking for ways to become more efficient and scale their operations. Outsourcing your IT services is a great way to accomplish both of these goals.
With Onward Technology, you can easily scale up or down as needed, without having to worry about the cost or complexity of maintaining an in-house IT team. We're here to support you as you grow, and we're always ready to adjust our services to meet your changing needs.
Many of our clients simply can't afford to have their IT systems go down, even for a short period of time. That's why we offer around-the-clock support, 365 days a year. No matter what time of day or night it is, if you have an issue with your IT systems, we'll be there to help you resolve it quickly and efficiently.
This way, you can avoid the costly downtime that can occur when problems with your IT systems are left unaddressed.
For many businesses, IT support is a reactive process. They only reach out to their IT provider when something has already gone wrong and they need help fixing it.
At Onward Technology, we take a proactive approach to IT support. We monitor your systems 24/7, so we can identify and resolve potential problems before they cause any disruptions to your business. This way, you can avoid the headaches and expenses that come with unplanned downtime.
As a business owner, manager or executive, your time is extremely valuable. You need to be able to focus on the tasks that are most important to growing your business, not waste time trying to fix IT problems yourself or dealing with IT issues that could have been avoided altogether.
Outsourcing your IT services to Onward Technology will free up your time so you can focus on the things that matter most to your business. We'll handle all of your IT needs, big and small, so you can focus on running and growing your company.
In today's world, customers expect businesses to have reliable IT systems in place. If your systems are constantly going down or causing other problems, it will reflect poorly on your company and damage your reputation.
When you outsource your IT services to Onward Technology, you can rest assured knowing that your customers will always be taken care of. We'll make sure your systems are up and running smoothly, so your customers can always count on you to deliver the services they need.
Finally, when you outsource your IT services, you won't need to spend as much time training your in-house staff on how to use and maintain your systems.
Our team of experts will be there to handle all of your IT needs, so you can focus on running your business. We'll provide comprehensive training to your staff as needed, so they can always be confident in their ability to use your systems effectively.
Outsourcing your IT services is a great way to improve your business efficiency, scale your operations and keep your customers satisfied. Contact Onward Technology today to learn more about how we can help you grow your business through Utah's best IT support and managed IT services.