In today’s digital landscape, no business is safe from cyber threats. Join our summit to learn how to protect your company from devastating cyberattacks.
In this informative session, you’ll learn:
This event is ideal for business owners, IT professionals, and security managers who are dedicated to protecting their company’s data and reputation.
Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly more prominent. You might think that your data isn’t valuable – We will help you learn why that thinking may change. Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to protect your most valuable asset – your company data!
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Register now to secure your spot at the Cybersecurity Awareness Summit and protect your business from cyber threats!
The step-by-step incident response playbook that could save your business millions
In this comprehensive 60-minute webinar, we’ll move beyond theory to provide you with actionable, real-world strategies for responding to and recovering from cyber attacks. Whether you’re updating an existing incident response plan or building one from scratch, you’ll leave with practical tools and templates you can implement immediately.
Agenda
Who Should Attend
Data breaches can have devastating consequences for businesses, affecting both their finances and reputation. At the Cybersecurity Awareness Summit 2024, we will delve into the true cost of data breaches and discuss how to mitigate these risks.
The financial impact of a data breach can be substantial. According to recent studies, the average cost of a data breach in the United States is over $8 million. This cost includes a range of expenses, from immediate response efforts to long-term reputational damage. When a breach occurs, businesses must invest in forensic investigations to determine the extent of the compromise and identify the cause. This often requires hiring external experts and deploying specialized tools, which can be costly.
In addition to the direct costs, businesses may face regulatory fines and legal fees. Many industries are subject to strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA, which mandate specific security measures and reporting requirements. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines. Furthermore, affected customers or partners may pursue legal action, leading to additional legal expenses and potential settlements.
Operational disruption is another significant cost associated with data breaches. When a breach occurs, businesses often need to shut down systems or limit access to contain the incident and prevent further damage. This disruption can lead to lost revenue, particularly for organizations that rely heavily on online transactions or digital services. The time and resources required to restore normal operations and ensure the integrity of systems can further exacerbate the financial impact.
Beyond the immediate financial costs, data breaches can cause long-lasting reputational damage. Customers, partners, and stakeholders expect businesses to protect their data, and a breach can erode trust and confidence. News of a breach can spread quickly, particularly with the rise of social media, leading to negative publicity and damaged brand reputation. Rebuilding trust and repairing reputational damage often requires significant investment in public relations and marketing efforts.
The loss of customer trust can also have a direct impact on revenue. Customers who lose confidence in a business’s ability to protect their data may take their business elsewhere, leading to lost sales and diminished customer loyalty. Attracting new customers can become more challenging as potential clients may be wary of associating with a business that has experienced a data breach.
To mitigate these risks, businesses must invest in robust cybersecurity measures. This includes implementing comprehensive security policies and procedures, investing in advanced security technologies, and providing ongoing training for employees. Regular security assessments and audits can help identify vulnerabilities and ensure that security measures are effective.
At the Cybersecurity Awareness Summit 2024, experts will discuss strategies to prevent data breaches and minimize their impact. Attendees will learn about the latest tools and techniques for detecting and responding to incidents, as well as best practices for protecting sensitive data.
Protect your business from costly data breaches – secure your spot at the summit today!
The digital landscape is constantly changing, and so are the threats that target businesses. From sophisticated phishing schemes to ransomware attacks, the methods used by cybercriminals are becoming increasingly advanced. At the upcoming Cybersecurity Awareness Summit 2024, we will explore the latest trends in cyber threats and provide strategies to stay ahead of these evolving dangers.
Cyber threats are not a static phenomenon; they evolve in response to new technologies, defensive measures, and the changing behavior of users and organizations. Understanding these evolving threats is crucial for businesses that aim to protect their data, maintain their reputation, and avoid costly breaches.
One of the most significant changes in the cyber threat landscape is the rise of ransomware attacks. These attacks have become more sophisticated and targeted, with cybercriminals often conducting extensive reconnaissance before launching an attack. Ransomware can cripple an organization by encrypting its data and demanding a ransom for its release. The impact of such an attack can be devastating, leading to significant financial losses and operational downtime.
Phishing attacks remain a prevalent threat, evolving in complexity and sophistication. Cybercriminals use social engineering techniques to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. These attacks often appear as legitimate emails from trusted sources, making them difficult to detect. Training employees to recognize phishing attempts and implementing robust email security measures are essential steps in mitigating this risk.
Another emerging threat is the exploitation of vulnerabilities in Internet of Things (IoT) devices. As businesses increasingly rely on connected devices, the attack surface for cybercriminals expands. Many IoT devices lack robust security features, making them easy targets for attackers. Ensuring that IoT devices are securely configured and regularly updated is critical in protecting against these threats.
The growing use of cloud services also introduces new security challenges. While cloud providers invest heavily in security, the responsibility for securing data in the cloud is shared between the provider and the user. Misconfigurations and inadequate access controls can lead to data breaches and other security incidents. Businesses must adopt best practices for cloud security, including regular audits, encryption, and strong access controls.
Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are another area of concern. APTs involve prolonged and targeted cyberattacks, often orchestrated by well-funded and skilled adversaries. These attackers aim to gain long-term access to sensitive data and can remain undetected for extended periods. Detecting and responding to APTs requires advanced security measures, such as threat intelligence, continuous monitoring, and incident response planning.
In addition to these specific threats, the overall cyber threat landscape is influenced by geopolitical factors. Nation-state actors engage in cyber espionage and sabotage, targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive information. Businesses must stay informed about these broader trends and consider their potential impact on cybersecurity.
At the Cybersecurity Awareness Summit 2024, experts will discuss these evolving threats in detail and share insights on how businesses can enhance their cybersecurity posture. Attendees will learn about the latest tools and techniques to detect and respond to cyber threats, as well as best practices for securing their digital assets.
Don’t miss out on this essential knowledge – register for the summit today! Empower yourself with the information and strategies needed to stay ahead of cybercriminals and protect your organization from evolving cyber threats.
In the sectors of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), distribution, and manufacturing, the integrity of your digital infrastructure is paramount. As industries evolve and become increasingly digitized, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been greater. Security officers, IT directors, and compliance officers are on the front lines of this battle, tasked with safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring operational continuity. This is where Managed Security Services (MSS) come into play, offering a comprehensive solution to meet these critical needs.
The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity
The AEC, distribution, and manufacturing sectors face unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. These industries are not only dealing with large volumes of sensitive data but also with complex supply chains and interconnected systems. Cyberattacks can lead to significant disruptions, financial loss, and damage to reputation. Therefore, a proactive approach to cybersecurity is essential.
Key Benefits of Managed Security Services
Why C-Level Executives, Security Officers, IT Directors, and Compliance Officers Should Consider MSS
Tailored Solutions for AEC, Distribution, and Manufacturing
Every industry has unique security requirements, and MSS providers understand this. They offer tailored solutions that address the specific needs of the AEC, distribution, and manufacturing sectors. Whether it’s protecting intellectual property, securing supply chains, or ensuring the integrity of manufacturing processes, MSS can provide the necessary protection.
In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, Managed Security Services offer a reliable and effective solution for safeguarding your digital assets. For C-Level executives, security officers, IT directors, and compliance officers in the AEC, distribution, and manufacturing sectors, MSS provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing your organization is protected by industry-leading expertise and technology.
Ready to take your cybersecurity to the next level? Contact Aktion Associates today to learn how our Managed Security Services can protect your business from evolving threats and ensure your digital independence. Let us help you stay secure, compliant, and ahead of the curve. Get in touch with our experts now and safeguard your future.
In today’s digital landscape, no business is safe from cyber threats. Join our summit to learn how to protect your company from devastating cyberattacks.
In this informative session, you’ll learn:
This event is ideal for business owners, IT professionals, and security managers who are dedicated to protecting their company’s data and reputation.
Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly more prominent. You might think that your data isn’t valuable – We will help you learn why that thinking may change. Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to protect your most valuable asset – your company data!
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Register now to secure your spot at the Cybersecurity Awareness Summit and protect your business from cyber threats!
Businesses of all types and sizes find themselves relying more and more on technology. To stay functional, every modern company needs some type of IT assistance. Running a company is challenging enough without dealing with constant technology headaches. But once you decide you’re ready to hand off some or all of your IT responsibility to a managed services provider, how do you figure out who to talk to when there are so many choices? It can be daunting to evaluate and select the right technology partner for your business.
Below are three key characteristics to consider when deciding on a managed services provider.
1: Industry Expertise
Start by checking potential MSPs to be sure they’re familiar with your industry. So many generic MSPs really aren’t able to address industry-specific problems that might arise. With industry expertise comes knowledge of the ins and outs of your technology. This means knowing what requirements a particular piece of software needs to operate smoothly or which upgrades are necessary in order continue business as usual. The goals should be to keep your infrastructure healthy and eliminate downtime. When you partner with a managed service provider that knows the platforms your business runs, you gain confidence in the health of your technology.
2: Responsive Hotline Support
This builds upon the previous point, in that industry expertise is also extremely valuable in a hotline support team. A team of technology experts who can answer your calls quickly and efficiently should be another key factor in your evaluation of MSPs. Not all help desks are created equally, and unfortunately some businesses find themselves getting used to long wait times and speaking with people who can’t directly address their issues.
A good technology partner brings a full bench of support to every customer support issue. Whether a request is best resolved by a network engineer, an application consultant, or a software engineer, this program ensures that the appropriate resource is assigned to you. Be sure your new MSP has a proven case management and escalation protocol for timely and efficient issue resolution.
3: Remote Monitoring
Active monitoring and management of your system will keep it running smoothly. Remote monitoring items can include a cloud environment or server hardware, operating system status, and network performance. An MSP can also give you additional support such as database troubleshooting related to system uptime. You also might ask the providers if they can give you timely notice of developing issues, provide security, and perform regular system maintenance.
Providers now need to be able to offer a multi-layered approach to ensure each customer’s success. As with any partnership, you want to be positive the MSP you choose fits your needs and understands your overall business goals.
Because Aktion excels at each point listed above, we believe that these unique qualities set us apart from the competition. Our experience as a technology provider focused on the construction, distribution and manufacturing industries gives our customers complete technology peace of mind. Our goal is to protect your technology, both primary business applications and the platform that they run on.
If you’d like to discuss Aktion’s Managed Services features and benefits, please reach out and I’d be happy to get you started on your Managed Services journey.
What we learned from the new normal
Aktion has always had a good balance of employees who have worked in a traditional office and those who work at home. A large majority of our sales and application consultants already work from a home office and many employees split their time between the two. COVID-19 changed how we approached this balance. It shed some light on some of our strengths as a mobile organization as well as some new perspectives about ourselves as we moved to a full work from home paradigm – insights that we wanted to share.
As an IT organization, we set up every system with a robust level of security measures to avert spam, malware and cyber-attacks. Our staff is trained on identifying attacks during our on-boarding process. Each employee is issued IT equipment in the form of Notebooks for the just-in-case moments. While in the office, they are augmented by external docking stations, multiple monitors, external keyboards and mice for convenience and productivity purposes. The Notebooks are built with full capabilities – built-in WiFi, microphones and cameras. These integrated features allowed us to stay connected and productive, even if lacking the convenience and greater functionality that can be found in external webcams and headsets.
Aktion also uses Voice over IP (VOIP) phones with a Cloud-based PBX. The phone system allows for easy installation. Once your IT department has configured the desk phone unit, all you need is power and internet connection for a surprisingly simple and effective way to make the home office feel as connected as a brick and mortar office.
To stay connected during the day, Aktion uses MS Teams for instant messaging between staff members and in groups. As we developed a new work from home strategy, we learned how to use its powerful collaboration capabilities such as integrated SharePoint sites for file sharing, team calendars, conversation boards, and integrated online meetings with shared notes – a new version of the traditional conference room collaboration.
We thought we had it all in place and that we could go without the office conveniences that we had become accustomed to using regularly. As quarantine progressed, we learned some new things about what it really meant to work from home.
For starters, we realized that not all of our staff have the right space and peripherals to take advantage of their notebook computer at home. Not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated home office that is ready to connect – and many of us who forgot that extra keyboard and monitor in the office, found that working from a laptop alone can be less than optimal. The transition to a longer stretch of working from home highlighted the inconvenience of working from only the laptop screen and touchpad for some users. And that Voice over IP (VOIP) phone, yeah, many of us forgot to bring that home too. Ensuring that everyone has the right peripherals (or a plan to transfer them from the corporate office) BEFORE the unexpected occurred would have been highly beneficial in the long run.
As web meetings became more and more the norm for communications, holes in our capacity became clear. For starters, not all employees were issued external headsets with a microphone. Many who had been issued this equipment did not have it properly configured for connection to their computer, only to their desk phone. Many of us didn’t realize that the headset would be a critical item for online meetings.
While we all used one universal form of conferencing – not every organization that we interact with uses that same system. Many online meetings were stalled as one or another member wrestled with audio and video connections. Countless meetings were joined with the computer and phone dial-in – creating challenging echo effects and distractions. In some situations, the microphone placement resulted in loud background noise, and in others it was obvious that a post-it note or similar had been taped over a participant’s camera instead of them simply deactivating it. Overall a loss in productive meeting time occurred as these issues were resolved. We learned that all our employees need training on both equipment integration and multiple online meeting tools on the front end to help in this area as it became much more a part of our day-to-day workflow.
So, while we had all the security measures and capabilities in place for our employees to work from home, we learned a lot about our abilities to use our equipment outside of the old norm. Through our experience, we developed some recommended solutions to the challenges we encountered and have been able to share those experiences with our customers more and more frequently. In the new normal, we (and our customers) will be better equipped for whatever next life-altering event hits our businesses.
In these uncertain times, you can be certain that everyone is relying on technology more than ever before. Technology is how we can continue to do business and how we can connect with others while Social Distancing. The world has slowed down, but without technology, it would stop. Today, no one can afford a technology outage.
Disaster Recovery (DR) is the ability to recover after a technology failure. Disaster Recovery is like insurance that you use only when the unanticipated occurs in order to get you back on your feet. But there is a deductible, a heavy deductible that has to be paid. That deductible is the loss of business during the time it takes to recover and the possible loss of data that hadn’t yet been backed up when the disaster occurred. DR hurts, but it gets you back on your feet.
High Availability (HA) is the ability to keep an application running through both planned and unplanned technology outages. Planned outages occur daily. Your application needs to be down to end-users when you run end-of-day processing or when you run your backups or for planned maintenance and upgrades. Unplanned outages rarely occur, but they are due to technology failures, infrastructure failures or natural disasters. With HA, your application is always available to end-users.
The difference between DR and HA is that with HA there is a spare server with current data that is ready to take over when the production server fails. The downtime is the time to switch over to the spare server and is typically 30 minutes or less. On the other hand, with DR, another server has to be provisioned and restored in order to get the application running again. DR is typically measured in days. HA is measured in minutes while DR is measured in days.
I had two customers who recently experienced server outages. One customer had an HA solution and the other customer was in the midst of implementing an HA solution but was not there yet. Both customers were on currently supported hardware and software platforms and were in good shape to be recovered. In both cases, it took the manufacturer’s service technicians two days to repair the server.
The first customer was back up and running their 150 retail outlets and warehouses in 30 minutes on their backup server. The other customer had to wait for the server to be repaired, the system to be restored and tested and was back up in 4 days. Thankfully, two of the days were over a weekend, when the business is closed, and it was a lighter than normal holiday week. HA = 30-minute outage, DR = 4-day outage.
It sounds expensive to have a spare server sitting around waiting for a disaster to occur, but the loss of business from a disaster can be far greater. The spare server can be in the same room as the production server or in another one of your locations or even in a managed data center. And you don’t even have to make an investment in a spare server, you can subscribe to a HA cloud server. And the spare server is available for other uses like application development and testing, reporting and data warehouse.
Some of us are busier than ever right now which is all the more reason to have an HA solution. You can outsource the entire HA project and get it up and running with minimal involvement of your staff. Others find themselves with time on their hands making this the perfect time to invest in HA to be prepared for when things get back to normal.
