Category Archives: Manage Service

8 Ways Technology Will Grow Your Business in 2023

grow your business in 2023
Manage Service, Security, Technology, , , , ,

Technology continues to play a role in the growth of businesses. But if you can’t keep up with what’s going on in your field, you might fall behind in the competition. Even worse, you might put your business at huge risk in online safety. That is an absolute no-no if you want to grow your business in 2023.

The rapid changes in technology in 2023 might seem scary, but don’t let them overwhelm you. All you need to do is stay on top of whatever technology is available and use it to your advantage. And the first step to achieving this is awareness. Hence, to give you a heads-up, here are 8 ways technology will grow your business in 2023.

Use Artificial Intelligence to Grow Your Business in 2023

Created to replicate the way humans think, artificial intelligence is now found in vast and diverse applications. AI is used a lot in business for online shopping, advertising, web search, digital assistants, stopping fraud, and more. The two most notable benefits of AI are that it saves you time and resources and gives you more detailed insights that will help you improve your business.

Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based solutions are among the most significant technologies to help grow your business in 2023. Instead of limiting your business to the limited physical resources you have, cloud solutions give you a lot of ways to grow your business. Aside from the web-based services readily available, there are business-focused cloud solutions like SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and many more.

Cybersecurity Solutions

As technology grows, so do the capabilities of hackers. This threat means the need for reliable cybersecurity measures is more critical now than ever. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can use modern technology to boost your defenses. Always stay a few steps ahead of cybercriminals by equipping your system with the latest cybersecurity tools and solutions. Simple things like multi-factor authentication or phishing simulations can go a long way.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the network of objects, devices, and data systems that connect through sensors and software applications. Because practically everything is located online, the IoT plays a role in keeping your business in line with current technology trends. Through IoT, you can eliminate some of your business’ overhead costs and boost efficiency by a large margin. This will help reduce business finances and help grow your business in 2023.

Automation to Grow Your Business in 2023

Time is a precious resource, and with time management, automation is a godsend. Automation technology is very advanced. It is now easy to automate processes in lead generation, sales, e-commerce, and even customer service. Take advantage of the simplification that it brings and watch your business grow at a much faster rate.

Vendor Management

For a smaller business, vendor management is a relatively simple process that is done manually. But as your business grows and you add more suppliers, you can use a more effective way to keep costs down, get the most out of each one, and reduce risks. It’s time to upgrade to a more modern and capable VMS or vendor management system, for your operations.

Renewable Energy

Using renewable energy was not so popular back in the day when fossil fuels and other traditional energy sources were more popular. But with technology in 2023, not only is it much more affordable to use renewable energy today, but it saves millions of dollars for many industries.

Quantum Computing to Grow Your Business in 2023

Quantum computing is one area of technology that businesses should keep an eye on in 2023, even though it isn’t as common as the other examples. Research in quantum technology is moving forward quickly. This new technology will make improvements to both software and hardware, which is great for business growth.

As we said, technology can be daunting but empowering at the same time. If you are ready to benefit from the latest IT advances but a bit of hesitation is holding you back, we are right here! From explaining the need for a reliable managed service provider to being your partner in using technology to grow your business, SystemsNet has got your back.

To download our Free Infographic on why you need Vendor Management, click here. Call us today for a free consultation!

What Is IT Compliance?

Cybersecurity, Manage Service, , , , , ,

The term IT compliance is frequently heard these days in relation to running an organization and making sure that they keep within the regulations of a third party or a specific client. It is essentially a process that companies go through in order to keep within these predetermined guidelines or boundaries. The main goal of IT compliance is to satisfy the minimum requirements when it comes to security implementation and risk reduction.

IT Compliance versus IT Security

There is a blurry line between IT compliance and IT security, with many people confusing one for the other. While both aim to ensure the security of a company or organization in the digital environment, the level of commitment involved can be very different.

With IT security, the implementing body will go to great lengths to keep the assets of the organization as protected as can be. They will utilize the most cutting edge technology solutions to safeguard against any and all possible online threats known to man. In other words, IT security aims to follow best practices for the protection of the system or network.

IT compliance, on the other hand, simply aims to satisfy the minimum requirements of a third party, like the government or a contracting agent. Such third parties might have their own set of regulations that a company will have to fulfill in order to continue with operations. Such fulfillment of these regulations is what IT compliance is all about.

The Importance of IT Compliance in Cybersecurity

Although it does not necessarily guarantee that your company will be completely safe from online mishaps, IT compliance is a must. For starters, you won’t be able to continue operating if you fail to comply with even one small regulation.

Much more importantly, complying with IT rules and guidelines greatly reduces the risk that you face online. Of course, it is the third party that determines the standards of risk reduction. If you feel that the security procedures that they require are not enough to completely protect you online, you are free to implement even more advanced security measures that meet your needs.

In many cases, though, the simple act of IT compliance will already put you in a much safer place. In your own company, you can create your own compliance program that will effectively manage online risks and avert online attacks that could potentially lead to a dangerous data breach.

How a Managed Services Provider Can Help

Many companies, particularly those that are not directly operating in the IT industry, are not well-versed when it comes to IT compliance and such matters. In this case, the best move would be to partner with a reliable managed services provider that can take care of all the hard work and technical stuff for you.

We will guarantee that you comply with all the IT requirements that apply to your industry, region, or whatnot. We can also design and implement your own IT compliance program to further protect you from online dangers. Furthermore, we will train your employees on the best practices for ensuring IT compliance and protecting your network and data.

If, however, you feel that you have already been hacked, we have provided a free 10-step guide on what you should do to quickly remediate and be on the fastest road to recovery.

Many companies tend to be lax when it comes to IT compliance, only to learn their lesson after becoming victim to a data breach, by which it would be too late. Don’t wait for this to happen to your organization. Give us a call, let us take care of your IT compliance requirements today and give you the best cybersecurity solutions so you can continue running your business in peace without having to worry about online threats.

The Consequences of Not Having a Proper Disaster Recovery Plan

Disaster Recovery Plan
Cybersecurity, Data Backup, Manage Service, Security, , , , , ,

We have often talked about how having a disaster recovery plan is one of the most crucial elements of good business management. Despite our constant posts and reminders, however, there are still thousands of business owners all over the world that do not take disaster recovery seriously.

Most businesses take precautions to protect other aspects of their business—car insurance, vendor contracts, and so on. But it’s scary that many people choose not to spend money on a good disaster recovery plan.

How will you handle a disaster that damages your data, equipment, or other resources? If you have prepared a business contingency plan for such events, you will have something to fall back on. There might be losses, but they will be minimal, and you will be able to restore everything soon enough.

If you don’t have a proper disaster recovery plan, you might not be able to continue with business operations. Here are some consequences you might face if you cannot prepare a suitable recovery plan for your business right from the beginning.

Disaster and Substantial Data Loss

Businesses rely on many kinds of data to operate properly. From marketing to sales to customer records, your company’s data plays a considerable role in day-to-day operations. If your data gets lost or damaged, your business can invariably collapse!

Even huge companies are not immune to the effects of data loss. Many people have had to spend millions of dollars just to get their data back after they lost it because of a cyberattack or a natural disaster.

Business Interruption

If a disaster hits your business and you don’t have the means to recover, your operations may come to a stop. You can’t work and earn money until your business is back on its feet. Without a proper disaster recovery plan, recovery can take a very long time!

Depending on the amount of damage, you will either need to rebuild your business or relocate. Either way, the process will be difficult if you don’t have a recovery plan.

Loss of Customers when not having a Disaster Recovery Plan

No matter how loyal some of your customers might be, it is unlikely that all of them will stick around if they see that your business has suffered from a disaster. Some may wait a while if they see you doing your best to recover and restore all lost information. They will take their business elsewhere if they discover you can’t fully recover.

What’s worse is that even if the disaster did not directly affect other clients, the news might spread quickly, and they might leave as well. New prospective clients might also think twice about entrusting their needs to you.

Huge Spending

Disaster recovery can be expensive, even with a plan, especially if you do not prepare for a disaster. Depending on the type of disaster, you may need to buy new hardware and re-encrypt any lost or damaged data. You are also losing a lot of money because you haven’t yet gotten back on your feet.

Disaster Recovery Plan: Final Thoughts

Research shows that 40% of businesses do not have a contingency plan in case of a disaster. These businesses will have a hard time getting their money back if something bad happens.

If you want to prepare your business for a disaster, we can help! Get in touch with us, and we will build a disaster recovery strategy to give your business the most comprehensive protection possible. Don’t forget that we can help you check if your office has exposed or stolen passwords or login info by running a Free Dark Web Scan. If you want to test your Backup Disaster Knowledge, take our BDR Quiz!

Telltale Signs of a Phishing Attack

Anti-virus, Manage Service, Security

The main reason phishing has become such a prevalent problem is that it works. And hackers keep finding new ways to increase the success rate even further. What used to be easily distinguishable attempts at stealing information have now become brilliant scams that look valid at first glance.

However, this doesn’t mean that phishing attacks always work. All that’s needed is for everyone to stay vigilant with online communications and ensure they know what to look for to identify a phishing scam. Here are some of the most important signs you should look out for.

Fake Email Address

Very few people stop to look at the sender’s address when they get an email. Most of the time, employees will glance at the subject line and check the message. If the recipient checked the validity of an email address, it might prevent most phishing attacks.

Amateur cybercriminals might use free email accounts like Gmail or Yahoo to send a phishing scam. Major players, however, use email domains just like real email. For instance, if you get an email from someone@amazonprime.az rather than someone@amazonprime.com, you’d better be wary.

Inconsistencies in Writing Style

If the style of writing is suspiciously different from what you have been getting from what appears to be the same sender, this can be a sign of a phishing hook. Also, some countries use different date formats. If date formats are not what you are used to, that’s also one sign.

Errors in Grammar and Spelling

Official emails get checked for grammar and spelling mistakes or go through basic spellcheck. A few minor typos and one or two misspellings are forgivable, but email with blatant errors, especially if it is supposed to be from a reputable company, is a good sign of a phishing scam. It’s likely because the hacker used an automated language translator to mass produce the message for potential victims.

Suspicious Attachments

You should never open attachments unless you are expecting them or if you can confirm with the actual sender that they indeed intended them for you. Otherwise, don’t open it, no matter how legitimate looking the filename might be. It’s likely they loaded these attachments with malware that will unleash themselves on your system once you click on them.

Fake Links

No one would knowingly click on a fake link, but these phishing emails are made to look so real. To check whether they are valid or not, hover over them and read the URL, particularly the domain name. If it seems questionable, that’s because it probably is. Delete the email and don’t give it a second look.

There is no 100% guarantee of protection against phishing attacks but looking out for these telltale signs is an excellent first step. As a business owner, be sure that all your employees know these signs and that you have properly trained them on the critical security measures against online threats. For more about these threats and what you can do to protect your business, start your new Employee Training today and have everyone in your office watch our Free Cybersecurity Webinar.

It’s time to take cybersecurity seriously. Call us and let’s protect your business today.