All posts by SystemsNet Administrator

When Should Your Employees Contact the IT Help Desk ASAP?

Manage Service, , , , ,
Employee contacting the IT help desk for a computer emergency

Engaging your help desk immediately can save you time and loss of data

An intuitive modern employee who’s contacted the help desk a few times knows that most technicians are happy to help, but generally there are a few troubleshooting steps they’d prefer team members go through before clocking a ticket. When the solution is as simple as rebooting, there’s hardly a need to call IT.

However, sometimes there are situations that team members might not realize are reasons to contact IT without any delay. No troubleshooting, no delay, no need to wait. Sometimes, it’s important to get the attention of your technical staff ASAP before a problem has a chance to get any worse. Today, we’re here to highlight the most important of those situations that apply to every business in every industry.

Here’s when you should contact the IT help desk without a moment of delay:

When There are Signs or Suspicion of a Hacker Attack

Hackers are an epidemic in the modern business world, and they come from every possible angle. Like insects out of the woodwork in a horror movie, there’s nowhere a hacker won’t try to invade your company data and the faster you smash them, the better. If an employee sees warning signs that a hacker or malware might be at work, they need to contact the IT help desk right away.

This way, your most expert technical support team can scramble and engage the highest possible data defenses. Network monitoring tools can be used to seek and destroy a lurking hacker in the network or their hidden malware. Virus scanning can be turned up to eleven to detect and eradicate anything suspicious. They may even be able to catch and report the hacker red-handed.

So it’s vital that any signs or suspicion of hacking is reported immediately, before the hacker has a chance to grab their stolen data and run.

When Something’s Sparking or Overheating

Hardware problems are often far more urgent than misbehaving software. When a computer dies, keeps crashing, or starts making a suspicious clicking sound, that’s when IT needs to be called. But some hardware problems can wait until after lunch and some should absolutely not wait.

The most urgent hardware problems involve heat and electricity, which are of course linked inside any computer or device. If you see exposed sparking or wire exposed outside of a computer case, it’s time to call your IT help desk immediately. If a computer or device is so hot that it’s uncomfortable to touch or be near, call IT. And if you smell anything remotely like smoke, smoldering, or that special hot-copper smell you might recognize from certain cooking pans, call IT without a moment to spare.

Any time there is sparking, overheating, or smoldering, then IT needs to know ASAP. If possible, very carefully pull the plug or ask maintenance to pull the plug with one of their rubber cleaning gloves.

When Vital Files are Obviously Missing or Corrupted

Sometimes, it doesn’t take a hacker or a smoking computer to cause an immediate-solution catastrophe. Sometimes, all it takes is a human error or a failed automated software update to put your entire company’s file system at risk. Employees working up in the company software have the best chance to spot when vital company files are missing or somehow corrupted and therefore are in the best position to let IT know that backup recovery procedures are needed right away.

If you run across a file, database, or server that isn’t providing data the way it should, submit that ticket without delay. A good IT team who is already on the ball will have backups ready and can get that file, database, or server back online within the day if you give them fast enough notice.

When a Distressed Customer is On the Line

Finally, it is always OK to contact your IT help desk ASAP if you have a customer on the phone (or chat) who needs technical assistance fast. Distressed customers have always been an aspect of IT assistance, even if you’re calling the internal IT help desk to to solve a problem that is technical beyond your depth but still officially a customer service issue. Your IT help desk will be happy to get you out of the hot water by guiding you to the customer’s needed solution or sometimes even taking over the call to help the customer conquer the technical troubles on their end.

If you or anyone on your team run into one of these problems, don’t stop to troubleshoot. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Just call your IT help desk and let them know what’s up so the experts can be on the job as fast as humanly possible. For more IT help desk insights or to design the perfect IT support structure for your business, contact us today!

The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication

Security, , , ,
Digital fingerprint login multi-factor authentication

Doing nothing is no longer an option as cyber criminals are no longer targeting just large corporations.

Doing nothing is no longer an option: maintaining security for your business’s data–and your customers–has become more critical than ever. If you aren’t actively protecting your business, you can experience downtime (which can mean an expensive loss of income, not to mention the loss of employee labor during your downtime) or lose data. Turning to multi-factor authentication can offer a number of key benefits for your overall network security.

Benefit #1: Weak or stolen credentials play a role in a high percentage of cyber attacks.

Weak credentials, like poor passwords, can make it easy for hackers to break into your company’s system. Worse, when a hacker steals a worker’s credentials, they can often access your company’s data almost entirely unnoticed. A high percentage of cyber attacks begin with weak or stolen credentials that then allow the hacker full access to the system. The higher up the person the stolen credentials come from, in many cases, the more access is provided to the hacker due to those stolen credentials.

Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for hackers to log into your system.

Instead of relying on those weak credentials, multi-factor authentication uses something unique to the user–a phone number, for example–to add an extra layer of protection when they attempt to log in. While it’s not impossible for hackers to work around this barrier, it does slow them down substantially.

Benefit #2: Multi-factor authentication is easy to implement.

You  may already use multi-factor authentication in many areas of your life, often without realizing it. When you forget your email password, for example, the system may trigger a text alert that lets you access your account. It’s a quick, easy method to add an extra layer of security–and it’s one that even your most technologically-challenged team members will be able to easily add to their arsenal.

Benefit #3: Password theft is getting easier.

Tricks like keylogging and phishing are becoming increasingly common, and more hackers than ever have the keys to unlocking your password. Through multi-factor authentication, on the other hand, you make your private data much more difficult to steal–which can in turn create a substantial layer of protection around your entire company. You don’t want to leave your customers or your data at risk–and multi-factor authentication can offer the protection you need.

Benefit #4: Multi-factor authentication helps show the effort your company is putting toward cybersecurity.

Today’s customers are savvier than ever. They understand the threat represented by hackers and other cybersecurity challenges, and they want to know that your company is taking the right steps to protect their private information. When you require multi-factor authentication, you let your customers know that you genuinely care about their security and are willing to take the right steps to protect them.

Benefit #5: Multi-factor authentication can actually streamline workflow.

One of the biggest objections to multi-factor authentication is that it can make it harder to log into the systems you use every day. The reality, however, is that multi-factor authentication is fast. Most of today’s systems deliver a text within seconds, allowing you to quickly log into the system and access the information you need–but they also provide a substantial layer of protection that makes it much more difficult for a hacker to access company data. Advances in technology continue to streamline the process, making it easier on your employees and customers without decreasing the protection added by those elements.

You can no longer afford to do nothing when it comes to securing your company. If you’re ready to take the leap and protect your business and your customers with multi-factor authentication, contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

Stress Management

Manage Service, , , , ,
Business owner managing his own IT infrastructures while running a business

We are not exactly doctors, but we can relieve a lot of stress and worry when it comes to your network infrastructure

Those who own or manage businesses will have a stark advantage in using managed service providers over those who don’t. Generally, those who attempt to manage their own IT infrastructures while running businesses will have a much higher level of stress in their lives. The purpose of owning a business is generally for occupational freedom — that is, the freedom from depending on an employer to earn a living. Attempting to manage an IT infrastructure without the help of qualified and experienced professionals can and usually does usurp the joy and satisfaction that comes from owning a business.

Maintenance

Certain facets of computers and network technology can be maintained relatively easy by laymen, but this doesn’t come without risks implying that more problems can be introduced into the system than solved. Computer operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh are frequently updated which introduces complexity — the layman will have to spend time understanding the changes in order to ensure continuity within the computer network. Not only are operating systems updated, but software such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari are updated frequently. As said, attempting to make changes or do maintenance without understanding the technicalities of the updated software can cause problems. One might think that by attempting maintenance without the aid of experienced professionals can save money, but when computer calamities come as a result, the stress can be overwhelming and even cost more to repair than if a managed service provider had consistent control over it.

Data Preservation

For the most part, it’s common knowledge that computer data related to businesses and their customers is an asset and must be protected. Data preservation is not an exact science, but again, there are dangers in inherent in attempting to restore computer data after a catastrophic event — breakdowns, theft, fire, earthquakes, vandalism, and even damage inflicted by disgruntled employees are all examples. Data storage devices can break down — under ideal conditions, one would not expect something like this to happen, but imagine going to restore data and files after a catastrophic event only to find out the device storing backed up data is non-operational with data therein unrecoverable — a stress factor easily mitigated with the help of professionals.

Security

Most people who install software security suites onto their computers don’t give it much thought afterword. For some types of users that works fine, but for the business owner that’s not a recommended approach. While this type of software has advantages, attempting to understand and manage it can be daunting. Furthermore, there tend to be unrealistic expectations with security software — it’s not a magic bullet that will prevent hackers and viruses from infiltrating and compromising computer systems. Obtaining the counsel and support of professionals will mitigate the stress associated with managing and understanding security software. For example, depending on what circumstances the software is configured to push alerts, the alerts need to be properly interpreted and without procrastination — frankly, security software alerts can be cryptic and therefore time-consuming to understand without help.

Help Desk

Sometimes, even if one is capable of resolving a problem without professional consulting, spending time to find the solution can be counterproductive. Ask yourself whether taking hours or days away from business and personal life is worth a solution to the intermittent freeze or speed problems exhibiting themselves on a computer or smartphone. Let’s not forget about that good old express service where expert help is a click of a mouse or short phone call away.

SystemsNet specializes in a broad array of services and with years of experience. Please contact us for information on highly competitive service plans.

5 Ways VOIP Services can Save Your Business Money

VOIP, , , ,
Business man holding a dollar sign. Saving money with VOIP services concept.

VoIP Services can save your Business Money

Internet phones are changing the landscape of business communication. So much so that even the large telecom companies are developing their own VOIP plans just to keep up with the trends. It’s no surprise, VOIP brings voice communication back to the cutting edge of today’s technology. The whole idea of a business phone system is integrated with modern software standards and compatibility with other essential software elements like your CRM.

But VOIP isn’t just making office phones more convenient and high-tech, it is also making business phones significantly more affordable. VOIP is far more accessible to small businesses, offering price points within a small-business budget for big-business quality of service. Let’s dive into the top five ways that VOIP services can save money for your business directly.

1) Scalability

Scaling for a larger, smaller, or expanding staff has always been a major challenge with PBX business phones because it means a rearrangement of the physical wires themselves. After setup, a business could find themselves stuck paying for too many or too few channels. But not with VOIP.

VOIP allows you to reserve exactly as many employee and facility phone lines you need, scaling up when your needs increase and scaling down if your staff numbers contract. All with minimal cost and no additional hassle or expense to handle your scaling through the handy online portal.

2) Runs on Existing High-Speed Internet

Another great perk of VOIP is that it works on internet data, not a phone signal. If you have already invested in a fast, guaranteed internet connection, there’s no need to buy a phone plan on top of that. When you already have high-speed internet, that is all you need. Your computers and devices will connect and everything you need will be available at high-quality. Your internet will provide all the signal necessary to run your phones and any necessary web browsing and cloud file management inside the company.

3) No Physical Equipment Installation

The next money-saving opportunity is dodging the physical installation. Every time a business makes a change to a traditional PBX system, a technician needs to run a line, remove a line, update the box, and so on.  Physical equipment installations are not just distracting and time-consuming, they are also costly. With VOIP, you don’t need to pay for technician time or wait for the installation to be complete to get on with work. Instead, you can make the changes you need to in the platform and that’s that.

4) Don’t Buy Company Phones or SIM Cards

Even for your remote employees and employees in the field, you no longer have to consider buying company cellphones or SIM cards to keep your team connected on your managed phone network. In fact, employee’s own devices can work as their VOIP hub and answering point as a number that is separate and parallel to their personal phone number. VOIP does use a SIM card, but not in the way you’re used to. It uses the card just to get an internet connection on the phone.

5) No Service Downtime

Finally, we come to a very important point. Because VOIP is so flexible by nature and lines can be answered from any device, you also can completely dodge most issues that would cause communications downtime. If you know maintenance is scheduled for your office or the entire team, you can simply have everyone transition to working from their laptops and phones to take calls from the same numbers as far as clients are concerned. There is no need to suffer through worrying, customer-losing downtime when your lines transfer easily from one device to the next.

To discover how much savings you can achieve with VOIP, contact us today!