Category Archives: Security

Multi-Factor Authentication: Why Duo MFA is the Perfect Match for Your Business

Security, , , , ,
Businessman using a laptop and mobile phone to enter multi-factor authentication codes to access important company data

Protecting company data with reliable business solutions such as multi-factor authentication.

Even before the pandemic, securing your business software and the network was important. However, the pandemic has made this even more critical due to the rise of remote and hybrid workplace models. This is because many businesses are scaling or migrating to the cloud to adopt these new workplace models. And it isn’t hard to find why the cloud is the ultimate solution for remote work. Typically, cloud-hosted systems mean that your employees can gain access from different networks and devices. In other words, it’s no longer possible to continue relying on users being on the same network as a security factor.

Furthermore, one-factor authentication, i.e., using username and password only to allow users to login into the system, has proved insufficient. For instance, stats reveal that about 80% of data breaches emanate from the use of poor passwords that are easily compromised by cybercriminals. At the same time, about 54% of users have less than 5 passwords for all their online accounts, making it possible for hackers to access several accounts if they’re able to compromise/steal a single password. This is where multi-factor authentication solutions like Duo come in.

What is MFA?

As the name suggests, multi-factor authentication requires a user to use more than one method (factor) to authenticate their identity before gaining access to a system or software. The most common type is 2-FA, where you receive an OTP (one-time-password) through your mail, SMS, or a mobile app after you input the correct password.

Why Should Businesses Implement MFA?

There’s no better way to protect your data and systems than to ensure that you proactively involve your workforce in the company’s cybersecurity measures. This creates an environment and a special bond between the security team and employees, making it possible to detect hacking or ransomware attempts early. For example, suppose one of your user’s passwords gets compromised. In that case, they will know since they’ll undoubtedly receive an unexpected 2-FA; hence, inform the system administrators early enough for timely security measures like locking that account until the issue is escalated.

Duo MFA is a Reliable Solution for Businesses

Duo is a multi-factor authentication platform from Cisco that has been designed for the modern workforce. Before granting access, Duo uses a second source of identity verification and validation, like phone or Duo push. Cisco knows better that MFA solutions should not make signing in a bothersome and time-consuming experience. Therefore, Duo is created on simplicity but with the reliability of military-grade security to streamline logins and make integration seamless. Some benefits of using Duo include:

  • User-friendly

Every one of your team members is different and has their own definition of what user-friendliness is. Duo takes account of all this to deliver a super-secure and user-friendly platform where users or teams have different types of authentication methods to choose from. These include Duo Push, biometrics, U2F, and tokens or passcodes.

  • Easy Integration

Integrating Duo with whatever system or software you’re using has never been this straightforward. Its modern workforce nature makes it easy to integrate with cloud solutions; Duo itself is built on the cloud. Besides, you can also incorporate Duo reliably with other security platforms for added security.

  • Seamless Scaling

As you grow, your company adds new users and tech solutions to meet the demand. With Duo, you don’t have to experience unnecessary downtime when adding an IT infrastructure or setting up a new user or device.

While it’s understandable that users can log in from anywhere using different devices, Duo doesn’t leave any stone unturned, provided it can be a gateway to your data or system. Therefore, it goes beyond authenticating users by monitoring every device, network, and application from which the access request is coming. This makes it possible for businesses to implement security policies, e.g., to determine when a company-owned device is required to access certain resources.

Bottom Line

Protecting your company data and systems against loss and malicious intrusion is key to compliance while preventing financial losses associated with downtime, data loss, and ransomware attacks. Therefore, it’s crucial to look for an IT partner who understands the weight and level of security you need. Get in touch with the team at SystemsNet today to learn more about Duo and our managed services.

Here Is Why You Need To Have SentinelOne Security in Your Business Immediately

Security, , , , ,
Businesswoman using a laptop showing a concept of using SentinelOne Security for protecting company data and information

Securing your business with the best security solutions.

There is nothing that changes as fast as cybersecurity in the current technological era. Today’s challenges are nothing like what your business might experience the next day. For these reasons, you need to have a robust system that will empower your company and give you technology that adapts to change.

Technology should be living, thinking, learning, and defending attacks every second of your business existence.

By being free from cyber threats, you ensure your business stands out amidst the stiff competition. Threat-free firms can have the freedom to focus on one thing: staying ahead. Here, we look at the benefits of using Sentinel One security to ensure you are always secure.

The Benefits of Sentinel One Security for Your Business

There is a variety of options when it comes to cybersecurity. Therefore, using the right one that will be perfect for your business comes in handy to help you avoid the risks of losing your sensitive data. It will also help you avoid the rampant data breaches experienced in the current world. Here are some benefits of using Sentinel One in your business.

It Has the Power to Adapt

Ask most successful drivers what helps them to win races, and they will tell you the power to adapt. They adapt to the terrain, the weather situations, and to the way their competitors are driving. They also have to check their speed and precision to win races.

Applying the same thought to cybersecurity, you need to have the power to adapt to the changing security threats in your business. It is easy to achieve such robust control by adopting Sentinel One’s autonomous technology. It is built to change the threatened landscape today and constantly in the future. You don’t need any additional services to ensure the threat stays within reach.

The Power to Perform

The key to winning is a robust performance that no one in the same vicinity matches. The security solutions you use in your business should guarantee success in protecting your business against the various cyber threats experienced in the world. Sentinel One has the power to perform beyond expectations. Its AI blocks can prevent even the most lethal attacks against all vectors in business. Such high performance reduces noise, allowing you to focus on your business to achieve better growth.

The Power of Speed

What does speed have to do with cybersecurity? Threats are always in the workplace, from your internal employees to intruders trying to assess your network. Without a proper solution, they can manage to accomplish this in seconds. It would be best if you had the speed to detect the threat immediately when they enter your systems and remove them before causing any destruction.

Speed helps you stay ahead of the curve and the adversary as you advance your business on a threat-free network. Sentinel One’s autonomous AI has fast detection speeds to prevent malware from entering your system without real-time alerts.

Secure Your Business with the Best Security Solution

Most customers opt for Sentinel One security for several reasons apart from its top performance features. The developers also keep updating the solutions to suit every customer’s needs by making them the center of innovation. Here are some of the advantages you relish about Sentinel One:

  • Easy to deploy and manage: You can deploy it in enterprise-wide seconds, you will have robust security across all the GEOs and business departments in one go.
  • Innovation that works: The solutions get updated constantly to enable solutions that are always a step ahead of hackers to secure your business.

Do you want to learn more about Sentinel One? Contact us today to get a risk-free consultation.

Here Is Why You Need Perch Security for Your Business Security

Security, , ,
IT professional using a laptop with Perch Security solutions to safeguard company data from cyberattack.

Keeping your company safe from cyberthreats using reliable security solutions.

It is 2021, and technology has taken over the workplace more than ever before. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 70% of full-time employees in the US transitioned to remote work.  The move into the post-COVID world has seen only a few changes, with roughly 58.6% of the US workforce continue to work from home, and some businesses looking to continue a hybrid approach to being in the physical office.

Remote working has numerous benefits, and many people have accepted it as the trend that businesses now want to apply in their processes. However, it also presents a breeding ground for cyberattacks. Hackers are now using the opportunity to target companies with the increased risk of leaking information and company data.

Also, cyber threats continue to advance with the advancement in technology. Therefore, it is more critical than ever before to look at the issues you need to address your company’s vulnerabilities. Cyber threats encompass a variety of things including, phishing, malware, ransomware, data breaches, and compromised passwords.

Luckily, you can manage to stay safe by using Perch Security and enjoy its numerous safety features to keep your company safe from cyber threats. Here, we outline the top benefits of using this security solution for your business. Let’s dive in!

What is Perch Security

Perch Security is a solution that helps with threat detection and response management to allow organizations to design, deploy, and control a customer cybersecurity program. It offers various functionalities, such as threat hunting features with drill-down capabilities to assist business administrators in evaluating threats with real-time alerts, logs, and related information.

With these solutions, the company always gets notified of potential security threats in the systems or malicious activities across the network and connected devices using a unified portal. The IT personnel have visibility of every Windows log, HIPAA, active assets, and PCI DSS compliance. They can view the networking status and all the metrics for improving security on the easy-to-use dashboard interface. With Perch Security, users can launch a robust cybersecurity program or add depth to their existing visibility and enhance the functioning of the security systems.

Features of Perch You Need For Your Business Security

Multi-Tenancy

You can relish the core multi-tenancy features that come with Perch. It will enable you to manage alerts for the various businesses or clients you like. Therefore, managed service providers can use these features to have a robust and reliable service for their clients.

Threat Hunting

Perch has tier-1 alert support that reduces unnecessary noise and alerts. The notification you receive is the real threat, giving you accurate information to act accordingly. The threat analysis works automatically to keep your systems safe, giving your analysts time to look at other business-critical processes. They can investigate the alerts, analyze traffic and logs.

Log Ingestion

Users can ingest logs from the Windows Event logs and Syslog and retain them as a measure to meet compliance requirements. The solutions will generate natural highlights to log events based on the log data. You can use this to report effectively and visualize your processes. You have extra insights when it comes to building endpoints and network traffic data.

Threat Management

Perch offers users an interface to input and manage unique threat indicators and share them with others if they would like to get assistance. Users can build a separate threat intelligence respiratory intelligence at a fraction of the initial price tag. You have more control over the threat data.

The need for security in small and mid-sized businesses is not an option anymore. You have to protect your business from cyber threats actively. Contact us at SystemsNet to consult about your company’s IT needs and security.

Windows Server 2012 End of Life Is On The Horizon

Security, , ,
iPad showing Microsoft Windows interface screenshot, lying on a PC running on Windows Server 2012.

Now is the time to start preparing and budgeting for end-of-life for Windows Server 2012.

Microsoft support. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ve never had to call them or email them. When businesses reach out to the Microsoft support team, it is usually viewed as the last resort. The Microsoft support team is who you lean all after your previous attempts to repair your problem did not pan out.  However, what could be worse than talking to a member of the support team and hearing the words, “Your device is currently unsupported”. After you hear these words, you are left to determine what you have to do next.

Windows Server is the driving force behind Microsoft’s operating system line-up. While Windows gets recognition and praise, Windows Server works extremely hard in the background, especially for businesses. If you have an on-site network based on a Windows network, there’s a good chance that the network is running a Windows Server.

End-of-Life Nearing for Windows Server 2012

Typically, server operating systems have long lifecycles, but businesses can easily miss the key dates indicating the end of mainstream support. With this in mind, let’s consider one particular version of Microsoft’s server OS, Windows Server 2012 R2, and its upcoming “true” end-of-life status. If you do not already know, Microsoft has announced a major change that will be affecting their Windows 2012 Servers. Businesses trust Windows Server to run their business-critical and mission-critical workloads.

The end-of-life for Windows 2003 Server came into effect in July of 2015. The Windows 2008 Server ended its support in January of 2015 and all remaining support ended in January 2020. Windows 2012 Server also ended support in January 2020. Up next is Windows 2012 Server. Windows 2012 Server will be ending sales, support, monitoring, and updates in 2023. Microsoft’s obsolescence date has been set for October 10, 2023. Although this date may make you feel that you do not have to worry about this right now, we recommend that you take action rather than later. You do not want the end-of-life date to sneak up on you.

Preparing for End-of-Life for Windows Server 2012

Preparing for the end-of-life or end-of-support for Windows Server 2012 should be of immediate urgency to businesses. It has become evident that the end-of-life rollercoaster will continue to extend across a range of systems as we enter the coming years. Therefore, long-term preparation is needed at every stage. You do not want to wait until the end of support comes into effect. Making the transition is going to take some time, so it is better to make the transition at your own pace.

With the right resources and solutions in place, achievable objectives and goals can be met within a short timeframe. This move will require businesses to act immediately to ensure proper preparation. Urgency is the name of the game, and businesses that take proactive steps will be able to make a seamless transition into the next server.

After the end-of-life date has passed, it will become increasingly more dangerous to continue running your business on an outdated Windows Server. There will never again be an update or security patch released for Windows Server 2012 after October 10, 2023. This means your network will be vulnerable to attacks because it can easily be infiltrated by malicious actors.

Upgrading to Windows Server is a worthwhile investment for your business for the following reasons:

  • Enhanced security
  • Better productivity and less downtime
  • More reliability and flexibility
  • More applications and features

A more powerful and reliable server can offer your business better performance and scalability, allowing your business to have the resources and flexibility it needs in a server. As your business grows and excels into the future, you need to operate on a server that can meet your business’s current needs and future growth plans.

SystemsNet can put together a detailed plan to minimize disruption as much as possible and address all your Windows Server concerns. Contact us today for more information.