Prioritizing IT Security & Efficiency in Today’s Digital Workplace

It’s easy to put off technology investments. Why spend time and money when your computers and phone system work well enough to get through the day? There’s good reason to change that mindset knowing that the most dangerous problems potentially lie just beneath the surface.

Estimated read time: 3 minutes

Drone top view of snorkel diver with big shark

Data Defense

In addition to the financial burdens associated with cyberattacks there are other reasons business owners like you are taking a more proactive approach to securing their operations. When businesses outsource IT, they are taking steps toward protecting their data along with their clients’ information, complying with industry standards and maintaining a superior reputation.

Nearly every business has some type of client information that they are expected to keep confidential. That data could be a credit card number or simply a home address depending on the type of business you operate. Regardless, your customers believe that you are doing what is required to keep their information safe from hackers.

In a recent radio interview, Ryan Wineteer, New Business Development Manager, debunks the myth that because a business hasn’t experienced a ransomware event yet, it’s doing OK. He explains that doing business in today’s digital environment is like swimming with sharks; you may not have been bitten yet, but you know they are there and they’re circling. Take a listen to the interview below.

Estimated watch time: 7 minutes, 11 seconds.

Your business will gain efficiency when you implement quality tech solutions before things break down. One errant click or one corrupt email that comes in, and your entire business operation could be shut down. The investment of maintaining and upgrading technology in the office will pay off in time and efficiencies gained — especially in the event of an incident.

Reputation Protection

Beyond compliance and protecting your customers’ data, you most definitely want to preserve the reputation you have worked so hard to build for your business. A cyberattack can be severely damaging to your reputation. If your customers lose trust in you, that can have a real impact on the bottom line.

For all these reasons, it’s important to choose a trusted provider to help with your IT needs. Every business—big and small—should be running network penetration tests and cybersecurity assessments.

In addition, do not overlook employee training. Employees are the biggest risk; if they inadvertently click on a link in an email or pop up, that can very easily trigger a ransomware event. A network “report card” coupled with regular employee training can give you the peace of mind that your network is proactively as secure as it can be.

Compliance Considerations

Regardless of the industry you work in, there are likely regulations and compliance standards you must meet. For instance, in the healthcare industry, organizations must follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines while in the education field, districts and vendors face privacy mandates through the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

In fact, 73% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) surveyed say they are concerned that their organizations lack sufficient protection against cyberattacks. Managed Service Providers such as Hamilton not only help you comply with regulatory mandates specific to your industry, but we also stay abreast of the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape ensuring that your organization is taking a proactive approach to these digital threats.

Next Steps

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate position of dealing with a cyberattack, what should you do? It can be overwhelming to think about, but the first step we recommend is to disconnect the affected machine or hardware from the network. Once it has been turned off, you should immediately contact your IT team or your trusted managed service provider as there are critical steps to take following the initial detection of a cyberattack. From reporting the attack to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to beginning the work of cleaning up the unfortunate mess, an expert who knows and can take the proper steps is essential.

Hamilton takes pride in being able to help companies on either side of the coin. Whether you are in prevention mode or clean up, we can help walk you through the next steps. Call 308.381.1000 to get started.