Managed Service Provider Blog

The cloud is far more than simply a repository for data. It’s also home to applications that many organizations use during day-to-day business operations. That's why cloud security is a top consideration for all organizations. While clients of cloud-based providers are typically attracted to the cloud because it provides them with increased flexibility without requiring [...]

Cloud solutions, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and increasing data transmissions are all complicating management of enterprise wide area network (WANs). Those findings, based on a recent survey conducted by Versa Networks and Dimensional Research, included 309 respondents discussing how enterprises are managing and securing networks across multiple branch locations. The research also gathered information [...]

Traditionally, IT project managers would carry assignments through to the point they're ready for handoff to a different department, happy to shake off the dirt off and start fresh with another assignment. Now, however, a new role is emerging in which IT project managers stay involved longer, which comes with certain advantages and disadvantages. The [...]

Remember when cyber security was something only IT workers knew about? That's no longer the case now that bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies have become more popular and many organizations have embraced digital transformation. These days, it seems like everyone is aware of cyber security issues. And if they aren’t, their systems could be compromised. First and foremost, [...]

You’ve communicated your vision for your IT department, provided a clear set of metrics and empowered them to go after specific goals. It’s easy to think that with these key ingredients for building an environment for high IT performance, you should be seeing impressive returns on that investment. Instead, these may be the bare minimum [...]

Given the frequency at which cybercriminals are successful at hacking their way into private data, it would seem that every business would make mobile security a priority. However, a recent Verizon survey shows otherwise. Almost 40% of those surveyed said bring your own device (BYOD) is a top concern at their organization, yet only 14% [...]

As enterprises contemplate the network changes they require to accommodate a growing number of mobile employees, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs, and cloud technology, many are turning to software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN). SD-WAN offers solutions to common challenges, such as scalability, the ability to segment different types of network traffic and centralized visibility [...]

It’s expected that 2018 will introduce more opportunities for businesses to take advantage of the mobile cloud and mobile edge computing. This will introduce new revenue streams and broaden opportunities for offering a variety of features. There is particular excitement surrounding the possibilities involving mobile edge computing, due to the growth of augmented reality, 3D [...]

The world of tech is on an ever-faster train of evolution that seems to increase every year. While it’s inevitable this would happen with tech advancements, 2017 was an amazing year when it came to technology. It also held some controversies in this category. […]

With the world being more unpredictably volatile lately, have you thought about what would happen if your business faced a disastrous scenario? It’s easy to become complacent on this subject if you’ve never had anything happen to you. However, there’s a first time for everything, and being prepared is essential based on past statistics. [...]

As stockings are hung and visions of Sugar Plum fairies dance in our heads, it is time to reconsider cyber security as we shop online for gifts for our loved ones.

Software subscriptions are the new thing - with more and more companies offering the choice between a subscription and outright purchase. It is likely that in the future, subscription will become the only option. Microsoft Office is not alone in offering a subscription option, but should your business use it? For now, at least, it [...]

When we talk about cybersecurity, we tend to think first of anti-virus programs and maybe even adblockers. The weakest link, though, is not software or hardware. The weakest link is always the human element; more than half of security incidents can be linked to an employee who does something negative or who simply makes a [...]

Slowly but surely, technology is creeping into every aspect of our lives. We interact with computers before we even leave the house in the morning- think automated thermostats, smart Vs, WiFi connected coffee pots and BlueTooth enabled garage doors. This is the Internet of Things and Machine to Machine communication. M2M stands for "machine to [...]

Data breaches are big news when they happen to big companies - but devastating when they happen to your company. Cyber security is a concern that every company, of any size, needs to take seriously. If you do not have a cyber security plan, then you need one now. You have two major areas of [...]

As a small business owner, you probably don't think too much about cyber security. After all, why would anyone attack you when they can get hundreds of thousands of email addresses from Facebook? However, cyber criminals can go after anyone, and if you are handling customer records, finances, bank account information - which almost everyone [...]

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month October has come again, bringing with it colder weather, changing leaves, and thoughts of Halloween candy. For those in the IT world, October is also National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a chance to review the past year, with special focus on security concerns and on ways individuals and [...]

It’s undeniable that today’s business world is becoming increasingly mobile, thus placing greater demands on growing companies to change their operations. Most transactions and searches that your customers will perform are either online or on their mobile phones. If you’re in the market to capture mobile consumers, then you must keep your firm up-to-date. At [...]

Your employees are one of the biggest security threats that your business faces–not because they are deliberately sabotaging your business or opening the door to threats, but because they may unintentionally become the victims of a scam. Whether you’re concerned that you might be a victim yourself or you’re ready to train your employees, it’s [...]

Technology is changing at a more rapid pace than at any time in history—and so is the language we use to describe it.  Acronyms abound, from CRM (customer relationship management) to SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (pay-per-click advertising), CTA (call to action) and ERP (enterprise resource planning).  And then, there’s SaaS.  What is it, and [...]

So you’ve decided that you’re ready to take the leap and hire an IT consulting firm to help take care of your company’s IT needs. Hiring a new IT consultant is a big step for any business, and it’s not one that should be taken lightly. From everyday troubleshooting to ongoing security, you need a [...]

When it comes to your organization's vital operational data, backups aren't just a good idea, they're a necessity! Your business relies on a wide range of data in order to accomplish your daily tasks, connect with customers, and more. Without a solid backup structure, a loss of data can lead to costly fixes, excessive time [...]

Most people do not take the time or effort to make an effective password. In fact, 59% of people reuse passwords over and over or use simple combinations such as “123456”. It’s obvious you don’t want hackers to break into any of your accounts, whether it’s a social media profile or more costly, a bank [...]

The first major public cloud platform became available in 2006, heralding the first wave of cloud adoption. And according to a 2015 survey by Forrester, we are now in the midst of a second wave. This time, after being somewhat tentative in giving up legacy technologies, the finance industry is visibly making its move. Below, [...]