The first reported ransomware attack on Internet of Things (IoT) devices happened in 2017: Traffic cameras in Victoria were infected by WannaCry ransomware. The infection wasn’t the result of a targeted attack—the cameras were mistakenly connected to hardware that got infected—and there was minimal damage. But the incident illustrates that IoT devices, from smart TVs… Read more »
Read the ArticleAccording to Gartner, the global public cloud service market will grow to $331.2B in 2022. By 2021, 90 percent of enterprises will be using the cloud. Many use it for basic services like storage and email, but infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) are also on the rise. With the… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe healthcare industry is responsible for housing our most sensitive and private information. And in the event of an illness or emergency, it’s also potentially life-saving information that must always be easily and rapidly accessible. Thus, healthcare organizations are tasked with achieving a balance between finding effective ways to access, store, back up, and recover… Read more »
Read the ArticleProject management (PM) keeps teams focused and effective. In many ways, more efficiency allows you to take on more work, create more value, and increase profitability. But with so many philosophies to PM, how do IT leaders know which is right? The choice depends on where you place value. Are you flexible on deadline but… Read more »
Read the ArticleIt’s no secret that most enterprises have migrated to the cloud to meet some, if not all, of their SaaS initiatives. The number is a whopping 94%, according to RightScale’s 2019 State of the Cloud Survey. The benefits driving this migration are clear: lower costs, increased flexibility, and enhanced data security. SaaS solutions providers certainly… Read more »
Read the ArticleLeaders set the pace. They create expectations. They lead teams to victory. If they’re good, they help make each member of the team better personally and professionally. As an IT leader, you may wonder how you can improve and build a better team. What does it take to make people more productive? What’s the best… Read more »
Read the ArticleRansomware attacks against local governments are on the rise. From schools to police forces, many different types of crucial public sector organizations have been targeted over the past several years. In 2019 alone, more than 70 known cyberattacks on government institutions have taken place. The 2019 State of Cybersecurity Study found that, even when disclosure… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe cloud has changed not only how we communicate, but how we work as well. Cloud applications offer the immense advantage of data access from anywhere, any time. The cloud also makes it possible for multiple users to change the same document on the fly, from anywhere. But businesses are often surprised to learn that… Read more »
Read the ArticleMany of us spend a significant portion of our day using our mobile devices. From web browsing, taking photos, and messaging, to emailing and banking, there’s not a whole lot you can’t get done on your smartphone. Unfortunately, hackers have leveraged our fascination with our devices against us. Mobile cyberattacks are on the rise. Nearly… Read more »
Read the ArticleAny time your company isn’t doing business, you’re losing money. Downtime is expensive. Production delays impact profit margin. The cost of lost opportunity can be high. And that’s before considering the toll downtime can take on your company’s reputation and ability to serve customers. Trouble is, many businesses aren’t taking steps that help reduce downtime…. Read more »
Read the ArticleOver the last decade or so, it is difficult to think of another technology that has garnered as much attention as the cloud has. Investors have rushed to profit from companies moving large portions of their infrastructure to cloud services. Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have invested billions building out large-scale data centers…. Read more »
Read the ArticleMost MSPs have basics like antivirus, firewalls, storage, backup, and VPN covered. But these days, the biggest path to profit isn’t just setting up systems, it’s helping clients get the most from their data. It’s no longer just about managing data. It’s about making it actionable. Here’s a look at three data-focused services that can… Read more »
Read the ArticleIn today’s increasingly competitive market, MSPs face plenty of challenges when it comes to staying ahead. The surge in data creation has ignited a worldwide focus on the importance of data security—and with it, the demand for trustworthy and efficient data management, storage, and protection has grown, too. Good news for MSPs, right? The problem… Read more »
Read the ArticleHaving trouble closing a sale? You’re not alone. Many MSPs struggle to turn prospective buyers into long-term clients. Why? Sometimes because their information isn’t displayed in a customer-friendly manner on their websites. IT can be daunting, especially to those who don’t have a background in it. Your prospects will be relatively new to a lot… Read more »
Read the ArticleTech will always be evolving. With 2020 knocking on our front door, it’s time to think about the tech that’s going to shape it. What will change about IT infrastructure, security, and productivity throughout next year? Here are four technologies that will make an impact. Proliferation of Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence is becoming a business… Read more »
Read the ArticleWe start a new year (and a new decade) very soon, and many people will resolve to develop new skills, find ways to become more valuable to their companies, or just learn something new that they’re interested in. In the tech field, many people are curious about coding. Understanding the world of code can unlock… Read more »
Read the ArticleMost MSPs know that using a backup and disaster recovery (BDR) appliance is an easy, profitable way to roll out backup and disaster recovery solutions to clients. But when it comes to how, MSPs often wonder: Should I build my own BDR, or should I buy hardware off the shelf from one of the many… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe FBI recently issued a PSA on the impact of ransomware on U.S. businesses. The frequency of ransomware (and other cybercrime) is going up, according to the FBI. Over the past year, ransomware infections at businesses have risen a staggering 365 percent. You’ve heard stats like these, and you’ve probably taken steps to thwart ransomware…. Read more »
Read the ArticleEach year, Inc. Magazine lists the top fastest-growing private companies as determined by revenue-percentage increase over the last three years. The top among them don’t grow a few percentage points—they grow tens of thousands of points. These are the elites. The movers and shakers. These are the companies thriving, driving innovation, and hustling to get… Read more »
Read the ArticleIn the realm of IT services, backup and disaster recovery (DR) are among the most essential, but also some of the most profitable. With options ranging from file-and-folder services to cloud-based backup and more, the challenge isn’t just backing up and recovering data, it’s finding the right way to do it. Any solution you use… Read more »
Read the ArticleIn our last piece, we looked at marketing metrics like pipeline and awareness. In this piece, we’ll look at the important metrics for sales when marketing hands over leads. We’ll also look at a few numbers that impact both sides of the house. Essential Sales Metrics With leads in hand, sales must move deals forward… Read more »
Read the ArticleYou may have seen buzzwords like DPaaS (data protection as a service) and DRaaS (disaster recovery as a service) thrown around. We’ve discussed the importance of data protection and disaster recovery in previous posts, but now we’ll delve into what these services are and why they’re essential to the long-term success of your business. Data… Read more »
Read the ArticleSome claim to be reporting an issue with your credit card account. Others have innocuous offers but hide something more nefarious—we’ve all seen phishing emails like these. According to a 2018 Symantec report, 71.4 percent of cyberattacks on enterprises used phishing emails. Meanwhile, Verizon says that 30 percent of phishing messages were opened in 2016…. Read more »
Read the ArticleThere are dozens of metrics that can indicate growth at your company. With so many potential items to measure, it can be tough to determine which metrics make sense for your company and which departments are responsible for which goals, not to mention how everyone’s combined efforts impact your bottom line. In this two-part series,… Read more »
Read the ArticleThere’s no denying the importance of backup and disaster recovery plans. The goal of any DR plan is to keep data secure and keep downtime to a tolerable minimum. With many spinning plates, it’s easy for MSPs to forget these four important essentials that will ensure success when their plans are tested for real: Recovery… Read more »
Read the ArticleWith average unemployment rates right around 4 percent in the United States, there’s war for top talent in the tech industry. Headhunters are ruthlessly pursuing high-performers. Businesses can no longer rely on salary and benefits alone to keep their best employees. These days, your company’s culture is what makes the biggest impact. In fact, 94… Read more »
Read the ArticleAccording to a report by Untangle, a network security provider, 48 percent of all surveyed SMBs said they have less than $5K budgeted to spend on IT security, down from 54 percent last year. More than half (52 percent) said they don’t have an in-house IT security professional on staff, leading them to spread security… Read more »
Read the ArticleShadesdaddy sells authentic sunglasses from big names like Oakley, Ray-Ban, and Prada. But in early 2015, someone in China was able to hijack the Shadesdaddy.com domain. The thief did this by gaining access to the registrar account that hosted the domain. Once he had control of the domain, he could redirect traffic to another site… Read more »
Read the ArticleThese days, no marketing strategy is complete without a plan for video. With attention spans shrinking and loads of competing messages, your marketing content has to be quick and compelling, which is where video excels. Video is great for grabbing attention, holding it, and ensuring that your prospects retain the information they see. There’s just… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhen it comes to IT best practices, solid documentation is critical. For backup and disaster recovery, thorough documentation is your only guide to getting clients up and running. So, whether you’re using it for DR, network diagrams, or even process workflows, an easy-to-use diagramming tool is an essential part of any IT pro’s toolkit. And… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhen it comes to a disaster or cyberattack affecting an SMB, it’s more a matter of when than if. According to The 2018 State of SMB Cybersecurity report released by the Ponemon Institute, 67 percent of SMBs have been victims of cyberattacks or data security breaches. However, only 28 percent of SMBs rate their strategy… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs an IT decision-maker in your organization, nobody knows the data needs of your business better than you do. When you’re searching for a data backup and recovery solution to suit your business best, be sure to ask yourself the following questions first. Then, shop accordingly: How Much Data Does My Company Have? First and… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhen it comes to business data analytics, we’re in one of the richest periods in technological history. The amount of data businesses have in their arsenal is unprecedented. From user information to website data to sales stats, big data presents an opportunity for companies to master the data they store. From there, they can improve… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe list of disasters that can befall a business is virtually endless, from fires to floods, hurricanes to hacker attacks. That’s why many organizations have made disaster planning a priority. The primary goal: Keep the business running when bad things happen. In a competitive marketplace, being out of commission for any length of time may… Read more »
Read the ArticleAccording to a recent Conference Board survey, cybersecurity risks are the number one fear U.S. CEOs face in 2019. More money is being spent on cybersecurity than ever before, so how is it possible that organizations of every stripe, from NASA to the city of Baltimore, have still had their systems breached? One obvious answer… Read more »
Read the ArticleSending regular emails can keep you top-of-mind for prospects and let you demonstrate your expertise so that when they need a hand with IT, you’re the first one they contact. We’ve explored the fundamentals of email campaign management in previous posts, but what goes in your emails warrants its own discussion. In particular, let’s look… Read more »
Read the ArticleWe often write about the challenges organizations in various industries face when it comes to data management. From healthcare to education, several sectors are trying to determine how to organize and analyze the vast amounts of data they store. Law enforcement, in particular, is one industry that’s finding it hard to cope. Law enforcement agencies… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe global information technology industry is on pace to reach $5 trillion this year. Although IT is a thriving market and an excellent business to be in, there are still challenges common to all MSPs. Cybersecurity, infrastructure management, and data protection can be challenging areas for MSPs. But many of the biggest hurdles for growing… Read more »
Read the ArticleSince the cloud emerged on the scene as a revolutionary concept in the mid-1990s, the way businesses store, sort, and protect their data has completely changed. The cloud is a time- and money-saver and almost always a safe bet. According to Domo, we, as a society, create over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every single… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe artificial intelligence market is growing fast. According to Stanford University’s AI Index, there’s been a 14X increase in AI startups since the year 2000. Jobs requiring AI skills have grown 4.5X since 2013. Forward-thinking companies are considering how AI fits in their organizations, and many of them have a defined AI strategy already. For… Read more »
Read the ArticleLast year, technical failures due to defects and cyberattacks were so widespread that ZDNet termed it “miserable,” and MIT Technology Review called it a “bumper year” for misfires. The hope was that 2019 would be much better. Unfortunately, that’s not been the case. From various cities being held for ransom by cyberattacks to IT outages… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhether you’re in the technology field or not, you know how important experience is when it comes to finding a job or advancing your career. But the need for experience can put job seekers in a tough spot. You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. How do… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe companies that thrive over the next few years will be the ones harnessing the power of data, yet most companies don’t analyze much more than a third of the data they have. With data so critical to business success, your clients should think about data intelligence along with data storage. But does your current… Read more »
Read the ArticleGood documentation does not happen by chance. In a world where everyone is a publisher, the ability to create documentation has never been easier. But creating quality documentation that provides value to the reader takes practice and discipline. The best documentation helps transfer knowledge to the reader while anything less often causes confusion. The same… Read more »
Read the ArticleAt least one day a week, 70 percent of employees around the world work remotely, exposing companies to a multitude of security headaches such as phishing attacks, unsecured servers, and weak passwords. Factor in the workers who also use cafes, coffee shops, or airport terminals to do company work, and the headache can turn into… Read more »
Read the ArticleIT certifications are more than badges of honor. They validate your proficiency and prove to employers or clients that you know your stuff and hone your skills. Since the tech world moves so fast, it’s crucial for IT professionals to understand new technologies and what they mean for today and the future. Certifications are among… Read more »
Read the ArticleAlthough we often hear about the threat of foreign cyberattacks, the truth is that one of the biggest threats to small and medium-sized American companies is former employees. An AppRiver survey finds that 24 percent of small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are concerned that attacks will come from dissatisfied ex-employees rather than publicized threats from… Read more »
Read the ArticleSomething a lot of IT providers struggle with is deciding exactly what to provide. Should you offer a la carte or custom IT services for each customer? Or should you use a one-size-fits-most approach across as many customers as you can? For some context, think about the experience of using a Mac vs. a PC…. Read more »
Read the ArticleAny MSP can back up client data. But high-caliber MSPs know that business continuity is about more than backups. A great business continuity strategy requires flexible recovery options, simplified management, and perhaps most importantly, quick recoveries that minimize downtime. These days MSPs can choose from many backup and recovery solutions. But finding one that boasts… Read more »
Read the ArticleForgot your password? Got a computer virus? Can’t figure out why your report won’t print? If so, then you’re probably like the thousands of other people who are confronted with such problems and do the one thing guaranteed to solve such issues: Call the system administrator. System administrators don’t wear superhero capes (although they may… Read more »
Read the ArticleManaged service providers depend on long, trusting relationships with their clients. Forging a lasting bond with customers begins the moment you come in contact with them, but the onboarding process in particular is critical. This is when you must prove to clients they chose the right provider. The onboarding process will differ from company to… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhen you hear the term “brute-force attack,” you may think about a savagely violent person or animal aggressively attacking another being. But if you’re in cybersecurity, you may envision something completely different—although no less frightening. In technology, a brute-force attack is when a hacker uses automated software to hammer an organization’s system with usernames, passwords,… Read more »
Read the ArticleFew topics catch at the attention of the media like a data breach at a large company. When Target, Home Depot, and Equifax suffered data breaches, their stories were covered by every major network. Moreover, the news traveled fast and far given the millions of consumers who had their private data stolen. Large companies like… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs we continue to follow the developments and decisions around Brexit in the U.K., we want to address questions about the flow of personal data between the U.K. and EEA that some U.K.-based users of StorageCraft Cloud Products, including StorageCraft Cloud Services (SCS) and StorageCraft Cloud Backup, may have. Generally, StorageCraft believes that concern about… Read more »
Read the ArticleTechnology is rapidly changing how we conduct business. IT departments are undergoing drastic changes as their efforts spill over into sales, customer service, accounting, and other key areas. In some organizations, IT is a multifaceted spark plug that drives all aspects of the business. With a much bigger role to play, the importance of having… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe hackers of today are bold and sophisticated and they’re looking for the next big score. According to a recent study by Ponemon Institute, the probability that a company will experience data breach increases year over year, and the average cost of a data breach incident is a whopping $3.86 million. Interestingly enough, sensitive data… Read more »
Read the ArticleMSPs need to be strategic as they develop and maintain storage infrastructure for their clients. Solutions must be affordable, scalable, and easy to manage. It’s a big challenge, but luckily, storage tech is more powerful and sophisticated than ever. If you’re thinking of ways to help clients take advantage of the latest in storage, keep… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe risk associated with artificial intelligence (AI) is a popular topic these days. Will AI take human jobs and become an enemy of the people? Will AI develop killer robots with no moral compass? Will AI become a superpower with greater control over humans? These are all important issues, but those tasked with cybersecurity currently… Read more »
Read the ArticleResearch firm Forrester predicts that hyper-converged systems will “become ubiquitous” as a common platform for deploying on-premises infrastructure. Compared to legacy infrastructure approaches, converged infrastructures promise lower costs, more scalability, and more flexible management. But as with any technology, there are a few competing philosophies in the infrastructure realm. How do you know whether to… Read more »
Read the ArticleRansomware threats continue to grow in 2019 as cybercriminals become sneakier and more targeted in their efforts, which means only organizations that are continuously proactive in maintaining security may come away unscathed. Consider the latest: The group behind the Dharma ransomware is now bundling it inside a fake antivirus software installation. Phishing emails that reportedly… Read more »
Read the ArticleAlthough every business has challenges in growing revenue, MSPs will continue to face three in particular in 2019 and beyond: 1) How do you keep current customers satisfied when the customer experience is more critical than ever? 2) How do you attract new customers so you can grow and thrive? 3) How do you do… Read more »
Read the ArticleFor many SMBs, it’s practical to use a private cloud for everything from software as a service to storage infrastructure and more. With benefits like cost savings, live support, and more, it’s tempting for enterprises to also ditch their hybrid cloud infrastructure in favor of public cloud offerings. But before you jump ship altogether, there… Read more »
Read the ArticleSophisticated MSPs know that trading basic backups for SLA-driven disaster recovery as service (DRaaS) offers outstanding profitability. But for many, DRaaS isn’t the easy-to-manage cash-cow it should be. To provide high availability and maximum data protection, MSPs may have to work with a complex array of vendors, solutions, and (sometimes messy) integrations, resulting in unnecessary… Read more »
Read the ArticleResearch shows that companies are losing billions of dollars by not having the necessary cloud professionals. Why? Because fewer cloud professionals means there is less innovation and revenue. That may be why some companies are actually hiring tech people before there are jobs available – they know the talent pipeline isn’t overflowing and they don’t… Read more »
Read the ArticleMSPs are responsible for stopping downtime, safeguarding data, and ensuring that no disaster—large or small—stops the productivity of their clients. It’s no easy task when MSPs must juggle vendors, become experts in various solutions, and integrate them, all while trying to make operations run as efficiently as possible. We expanded the functionality of ShadowXafe™ to… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs a StorageCraft evangelist, I find it worthwhile to download and read competitors’ white papers. This tactic usually gives me a good angle on the strengths and weaknesses of different vendors’ product offerings. Well, very recently I downloaded a “buyer’s guide” type document from another vendor. The buyer’s guide was tailored to the vendor’s own… Read more »
Read the ArticleIn March of 2018, the city of Atlanta spent more than $2.6 million responding to a ransomware attack that targeted its municipal operations. While city officials won’t confirm whether they paid the $50,000 ransom, it is clear that the price the city paid for its recovery efforts have far exceeded the ransomware demand. Ransomware attacks… Read more »
Read the ArticleImagine finding out the hard way that your home alarm system wasn’t working. You arrive home to an open front door with your personal items scattered around your place. Some expensive purchases—jewelry, your stereo system, or your computer—are missing. You get in touch with the home security company and alert them to the fact that… Read more »
Read the ArticleIf you own or work for an MSP, you’ll likely understand the struggles of developing the perfect solution for your clients. Besides all the difficulties that go along with pricing your services, deciding which services will sell well and should be bundled together can be a real challenge. One thing’s for sure, if your MSP… Read more »
Read the ArticleAs an IT pro, you know that data breach is a real risk. Your clients, however, probably haven’t thought about it as much. If your job is to keep them productive and their data safe, you must know how to broach the topic of data breach. Here’s an approach that will help them understand the… Read more »
Read the ArticleIf you’re in the education sector, you understand just how much data schools collect. Student records, teacher information, lesson plans, attendance lists, and so much more all have to be housed in a secure and accessible environment. Sadly, many schools are years behind where they should be with their management software. Because funding is hard… Read more »
Read the ArticleThe online world is still the wild west. A few wrong clicks can lead a user down a path to ransomware, viruses, and all sorts of nasty stuff. In order to keep each of these end points locked down, it’s crucial for MSPs to keep end users’ online experience safe and private. Your job is… Read more »
Read the ArticleData security has come a long way since its early days of simple scans and firewalls. Though there are certain older tools and techniques that are still valuable today, there are other methods of security that every single business should be employing. Here are seven of those: Perfect Your Passwords At the top of the… Read more »
Read the ArticleA Kaspersky Lab survey finds that 75 percent of respondents report that the number of passwords they have to manage causes them stress, which may explain why there are 23.2 million accounts using “123456” as a password and three million accounts using “password” as a password. In addition, 68 percent report they are stressed about… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhile many top leaders now tout the value of data to their organizations, there may a distinct lack of enthusiasm by rank-and-file employees for embracing data on a regular basis. That disconnect can spell trouble for organizations that are trying to use data to be more competitive or innovative. Without complete employee buy-in, the data-integration… Read more »
Read the ArticleEvery business needs a data security strategy. A company’s data is its source of revenue, and the fuel to keep business moving along. So, imagine if that data disappeared. How would they be able to run their website or measure their inventory? When it comes to school data, the consequences of deletion by a disaster… Read more »
Read the ArticleWhat makes the perfect target for a cybercriminal? A business that’s rich with sensitive information about their clients. One in particular? Healthcare providers. Consider just how much information a facility like a hospital holds concerning its doctors, nurses, and patients. Many of these stored details, especially patient files, are not only sensitive in nature but… Read more »
Read the ArticleThere are two main reasons healthcare providers are currently placing more emphasis on IT and data security: big data and ransomware attacks. Over the past few years, the amount of data collected and stored by organizations in every industry is astronomical. Where healthcare differs is in the number of crucial discoveries that could come from… Read more »
Read the ArticleHacks happen all the time. The Global Threat Report released by Carbon Black estimates that in 2018, about 1 million cyberattacks per day were attempted. All businesses are at risk on a daily basis and need to take proper data security precautions. How you do so and which data you protect should all depend on… Read more »
Read the ArticleCyberattacks are escalating each year. No matter who you are, some of your personal information was probably compromised in 2018. Businesses have lost tens of millions. Data for billions of consumers is no longer secure. The security gaps in the online world are growing. Luckily, there are a number of startups putting a stop to… Read more »
Read the ArticleOrganizations are under pressure to make decisions faster than ever before, and often rely on data to make those decisions. While companies may believe that’s a sound strategy, it actually may be harming their ability to compete and come up with innovative solutions, experts say. The reason is because many business leaders seem to abandon… Read more »
Read the ArticleBusinesses are using the cloud for all sorts of things these days. From data storage to remote workspaces and big data analysis, the cloud can benefit a company in a myriad of ways — one being data backup and recovery. At StorageCraft, we use the cloud to back up your files for quick and easy… Read more »
Read the ArticleIn celebration of the upcoming World Backup Day (March 31st), this post is dedicating to remembering the importance of backups and looking at how far we’ve come in the data storage industry. The evolution of technology has made it so the majority of our days consist of some form of data consumption. Whether we’re online… Read more »
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