How to add threat insight and response to your network

  

When I hear about interesting new technologies such as IT Services Columbia SC, I start thinking about how I’ll be able to use them and how they’ll be a huge benefit to me… but then the task of the set-up comes to mind and I realize that, actually, it all sounds like a lot of effort. 

When it comes to adding Synchronized Security to your network, though, it’s super easy, and can be done without replacing any of your existing IT cybersecurity Columbia SC infrastructure. That’s right, no rip and replace.

Linking your endpoint and your network, Synchronized Security gives you a clear picture of what’s happening on your network every day, instantly identifies threats and then automatically does something about it when they get in – with Security Heartbeat™ and Synchronized App Control.

How does Synchronized Security work?

The Security Heartbeat™ shares health and threat intelligence between Intercept X and the XG Series to provide at-a-glance health status monitoring as well as automatic real-time response to threats. When a device Heartbeat goes RED, dynamic rules in the XG appliance can automatically cut off that system from other key parts of the network to prevent lateral movement or the leakage of information.

Also, by sharing information on networked applications between our endpoint and firewall products, the Synchronized App Control feature enables you to have visibility and total control over every application running on your network – even rogue, obscure or custom ones – so you can block the apps you don’t want, and prioritize the ones you do.

How do you enable Synchronized Security so easily?

Deploy Intercept X alongside your existing desktop AV, and then add an XG Series appliance to your network… It’s that simple. Don't forget to pay attention to firewalls Columbia SC. 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now for more information about computer security Columbia SC.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence 

Security Leads the Evolution For Managed Service Providers

You are invited to join us for an informational session of technical discussions and demonstrations on February 18th, 2021. 

To register, click on Register Now

Like every other service provider segment, Managed Service Providers (MSP) are looking for ways to leverage recent changes in technology and customer buying patterns in order to expand their addressable market and service offerings. MSPs now have an opportunity to claim a larger share of this growing business market by providing a new set of commercial services built on a number of new technologies. With the commercial availability of SD-WAN technology, for example, MSP's now have a path to create competitive offerings that were previously confined to telecommunications service providers

The growth potential of these offerings is being driven by SMB and enterprise customers who are beginning to see the appeal of on-demand services delivered at a lower cost and with greater choice than they have been able to enjoy in the past. A key agent of this change is the trend towards virtualization, which is gaining traction in the industry, and which gives operators a mechanism for creating a flexible set of services that can be customized to the needs of individual customers, can be built on an open architecture, and enabled by software running on low-cost hardware platforms.

While the implementation of software-based services may enable the delivery a whole new portfolio of services, one additional capability is essential to their successful rollout, and that is cybersecurity. These new network designs are also expanding an organization’s potential attack surface at a time when threats are evolving and the volume of attacks is growing dramatically. As a result, many MSPs are looking at security not just as a key element in protecting their environments, but also as a source of new revenue.

Here are some key considerations that MSPs will keep in mind as they select a virtual security solution for your business.

Scalable

Do your security solutions have the ability to expand with your business? The ideal solution should offer a range of form factors – virtual as well as physical – with performance to match need.

Separable

Will the solution you implement offer effective options for the separation and isolation of customer traffic? This capability is an essential element of any shared infrastructure capability.

Manageable

Can you provide unified management of your security elements? As the size and complexity of your network grows, unified management becomes critical to maintaining effective security, visibility, and control.

Extensible

Is your security solution able to adapt to changes in the network and threat environments, be provisioned dynamically as new services are added, and support the addition of new functionality and capabilities as required – all while providing the right kind of protection in an evolving threat landscape? Change is inevitable in today’s environment, and an ability to automatically accommodate change is key to staying ahead of evolving threats.

Demand Driven

Do you have access to the tools required to operate an on-demand service? Capabilities like metered billing and auto-scaling are key features in environments where agility and flexibility are service differentiators.

For a security solution provider like SpartanTec, Inc., which delivers the security capabilities on which many of these new service delivery platforms are being built, our focus is on enabling seamless and fully integrated protection, no matter the network architecture. With innovations like our Fortinet Security Fabric, we aim to ensure that we can offer comprehensive security aligned to the evolving needs of our users and their business.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Why Cybersecurity Is Important Now More Than Ever

 Cybersecurity is a common word that you hear in the news and when you’re setting up a website. Now is the best time to consider the security of the data you collect and how you can protect the personal information of all your clients as well as your digital property from hackers all the time. Hackers have no time to rest and you must not be relaxed when it comes to cybersecurity, either.

 

Why You Should Consider Cybersecurity Now

 

1. Your online store must be secured.

 

If you have an online store, you must make sure that it’s secured well before you launch it. Hackers love to target small businesses because most owners don’t take cybersecurity Columbia SC seriously. Don’t make the same mistake.

 

 

2. You must protect your consumer data.

 

You need to protect the personal data of your customers. If you don’t, you may be held legally liable under the state and federal law. You need to have a privacy policy and make sure that all the data you store is secure.

 

3. You must re-evalate your strategies regularly.

 

Security is not something that you can repair once only and then forget about it. Cybercriminals will look for new openings into the backend of websites and create a different way of obtaining access to them. You should have IT experts check your website for loopholes and weaknesses and have them fixed before hackers find them.

 

4. You must find ways to save money.

 

Small businesses lose $2.2 million every year because of cyberattacks. The price you need to spend to secure your website is lower than what you’ll lose if it’s hacked.

 

5. You must prevent any loss of revenue.

 

Your company will lose money if your website goes down even just for a short time. Your clients may think that you have shut down and may do business with other companies instead. You need to prevent any loss of revenue by making sure that your site is protected and you have a plan in place on how to rebound in case a cyberattack happens.

 

6. You must train your employees.

 

You should spend time training your staff on what they must not do to avoid data breaches. You must also require your staff to change passwords regularly and to make sure that they are not easy to guess.

 

7. You must protect your business from Internet of Things Risk.

 

IoT means there are several connected devices for every person rather than just a single access point. Experts have predicted that about 200 billion devices will be connected all over the world and it is still expected to grow. Every device has its own risk. You need the help of a professional cybersecurity team to keep your digital content and consumer data safe and private.

 

8. You must have a good understanding of data security.

 

Small businesses cannot afford to hire a team that offers managed IT services to protect their website. They have to depend on their knowledge as well as any software or plugin available. You have to understand the risks and study the solutions to problems.

Cybercrime is among the greatest threats to any online business. A cybercriminal can disrupt the flow of your company’s online presence, lessens the trust between you and your clients, and adds more aggravation to your already grueling work schedule.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us help you plan for the best cybersecurity strategy before a breach takes place.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Top 12 Christmas Cyber Scams To Watch Out For

 Christmas shoppers will be spending millions as they shop for items to buy online. Whether you’re checking a website using your company network, home connection, or public Wi-Fi connection, cyber scam will always remain as a threat. For the unsuspecting and vulnerable Christmas shoppers, this season is when cybercriminals find their prey. Don’t let these threats to your cybersecurity get in the way of the festivities.

Watch out for these 12 Christmas Cyber Scams

Email Banking Scams – the Christmas season is one of the most expensive time of the year. You may feel disconcerted if you receive an email from your bank during this festive season. Cyber criminals will exploit this and will try to pretend as a financial institution. They will send emails asking you to verify your personal information. Always keep in mind that your bank won’t get in touch with you about your personal data, so it’s better to call your bank first if you are concerned.

 

 

Phishing scams – a lot of people fall for a phishing scam. During this time of the year, firms send countless emails in a last ditch effort to promote their products or services this season. Phishing scammers send out legitimate looking emails that will infect your computer, smartphone, or other device when clicked. Be sure to open emails that were sent by a legitimate source. Don’t click on a link that does not appear legitimate and in case an email promotes an offer that’s just too good to be true then it probably is.

Public Wi-Fi Scams – are you doing some last minute Christmas shopping and stopped for a few minutes to check your email? You need to be careful if you’re using a public Wi-Fi network. Don’t share your data and files with others on the network and be sure to visit websites that have an HTTPS protocol.

Fake Free Wi-Fi – if you are trying to log into a network that asks for credit card or personal details, stop. Some Wi-Fi networks in public spaces seem to be free but in return they may ask you for your personal information. These are cybercriminals trying to steal your data.

Fake Updates – Be careful of shareable content that is infected with malware. Cybercriminals embed a malware infection on videos, images, and articles. If you send them to your contacts, their devices too will be infected.

Ransomware Viruses – This type of infection will encrypt documents and files that are stored on your device, asking for payment for their release. With phishing scams, you need to be careful win downloading or clicking content from an unknown source.

Unsecured Websites - There are websites that don’t offer a secure connection when they ask for your credit card or personal details. They may not be intentional but it’s better to be vigilant when giving out your personal information.

News Scams – cybercriminals will exploit major world news to fool unsuspecting people for their money. They make fake websites and scam emails asking for donations. The websites and emails may seem genuine but be sure to double check first before making any donations.

Fake Virus Checker – you need to install an anti-virus system. But be careful of pop up messages offering a free virus check. They won’t check for infectious files in your device but rather infect it with one.

Phone Scams – cybercriminals may also contact you through the phone. If you get a call saying they’re from your bank, make sure to ask for their credentials first. Don’t be fooled into giving out your personal information.

Internet Surfing Scams – cybercriminals can add malware to almost anything such as links, videos, images, ads, and websites. If you are surfing the internet and you come across something that does not look right then don’t click on it.

Cracked Downloads – devices like laptops are popular gifts during Christmas. Don’t be tempted to install cracked and pirated software. They are not only illegal but they may also be infected with malware.

Cybersecurity Columbia SC is a growing issue not only during Christmas but throughout the entire year. Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us help protect your network and devices from cybercriminals.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/

 

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Preventing Financial Services Data Breaches

 

Cyberattacks on financial services institutions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent. By using stolen legitimate credentials and malware to disguise criminal activity, these breaches can remain undetected for some time, making the financial impact irreparable. Take the recent attack against the central bank of Bangladesh, for instance, that not only made global headlines, but to date has cost the bank $81 million.

Professionals in the financial services sector are well aware of such risks. The Financial Services Edition of the 2016 Vormetric Data Threat Report surveyed 1,100 senior IT security executives at large enterprises around the world, including over 100 U.S. financial services organizations. The report found that 90 percent of respondents feel vulnerable to data threats, and 44 percent have already experienced a data breach - with nearly one in five (19 percent) indicating they had experienced a breach in the last year. This just goes to prove the sentiment, “it’s not if you will get hacked, but when.” To which we can add, “and how quickly you learn about it.”

Where should financial services IT teams start in better defending their networks? From sports fields to battlefields, there’s an adage that has been used for centuries that states “the best defense is a good offense.” The idea behind this theory is that having a proactive offensive attitude (rather than a reactive defensive posture) is the best way to keep the opposition occupied and limit their ability to conduct an attack.

This strategy can also be highly effective in the business world, specifically for cybersecurity teams at large financial institutions. Cybersecurity Columbia SC professionals who are able to step away from the defensive side of security and think like a cybercriminal will likely be better prepared to put solutions and strategies in place to protect their data.

Here are some questions financial services IT professionals should ask themselves to put them in the frame of mind of a cybercriminal in order to better their defense:

 

 

What industries should I attack?

Before an attack is launched, cybercriminals will evaluate the landscape and identify areas where they can prosper the most. The financial services industry is consistently at or near the top of cybercriminals’ lists because, quite literally, it’s where the money is.

However, aside from seeking out customer information to commit fraud, cybercriminals see value in stealing data like bank employee email addresses and passwords. With this information they are able to pose as an employee to infiltrate the bank and commit theft. By understanding the industries that are commonly attacked, and the ways attackers try to get in, cybersecurity teams will be better prepared to put an effective strategy in place and make the investments where necessary to match the capabilities used by criminals.

Where are the vulnerabilities?

As the network expands, so does the attack surface. With the proliferation of mobile devices in the workplace, employees working from remote locations, etc., today’s cybercriminals have more opportunities than ever before to find ways into targeted networks. Additionally, when financial institutions acquire a company to expand their presence, they typically acquire the disparate technology that comes with it, often adding complexity to the organization’s security posture. All of these components equate to challenges that need to be addressed.

However, nobody knows the network and its vulnerabilities better than those who have put it together in the first place.

IT security professionals in financial services should look for openings in their own defense via white hat hacking and penetration testing. Since there isn’t a single piece of technology that will be able to stop every threat, those cracks in the system that are both easy access points and lead to sensitive data should be the ones focused on first. Remember, cybercriminals are just human beings looking for the fastest and most financially rewarding way to do their jobs.

It’s also important to remember that employees are a part of the system as well. An employee who is uneducated about security can be just as dangerous to data as any other digital or physical entry point. One way to test for employee vulnerabilities is to simply conduct test attacks. Many CIOs will send out fake phishing attacks to see if their employees will provide login credentials or click on malicious links. If a high number of employees fail the test, security teams know it is an area that demands added focus.

Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to penetrate networks. IT security teams should be doing the same as well. By conducting threat intelligence research, cybersecurity teams will be able to better monitor existing vulnerabilities and identify new threats before they take hold within the network.

Best practices for better security

Once IT teams begin to like cybercriminals they are better prepared to proactively and offensively implement robust strategies to defeat attempts at compromising their networks:

• Identify weaknesses: How do you address cloud and IoT vulnerabilities? Have your employees been trained in safe email management and other everyday security issues? Utilize penetration testing services to find out where your greatest liabilities are and start there.
• Focus on compliance, data privacy and regulations: The financial services industry is so heavily regulated specifically because of the high value of its data and dollars and the vulnerability of its customers and clients. Violations can be expensive and destroy credibility. Conduct regular, and even automated audits to ensure that all regulations are being met, and if not, find solutions to quickly shore up these weak points.
• Meet with the C-suite: The role of the C-suite with regards to security has transformed. Cybersecurity threats put a company’s finances and value at risk, and increase the need for mature strategies to safeguard a company’s data, resources, reputation, and brand. As a strategic business and risk management executive, the C-suite should have significant oversight and guidance in these areas. They can no longer be IT-only considerations.
• Implement an end-to-end security strategy that provides:
  • Operational visibility at scale. An effective  solution should provide the ability to run multiple security applications without degrading performance.
  • The ability to integrate an adaptive architecture that’s designed to incorporate multiple security vendors’ products to enable security against threats from IoT to the perimeter, across the network, and into the data center - both on premises and in the cloud.
  • Advanced threat protection, which provides up-to-date defenses against the latest attacks. Many of the recent data breaches have fooled or evaded legacy security solutions.
  • Unified threat intelligence and management. In this way, all components—networks and other elements of the infrastructure—can be easily managed from one place.

Final thoughts

For the financial services sector, cybersecurity is one of the primary business imperatives that firms must put front and center to not only safeguard their clients’ financial data, but to also serve as a business enabler and drive innovation to stay ahead of the growing threat landscape.

Financial services IT teams that think like cybercriminals will be able to take an offensive approach to security. Understanding what makes the organization an attractive target, and how malicious actors will attempt to gain entry will lead to a more secure network and reduce the number of costly data breaches that impact the organization. Implementing these best practices will enable secure services that deliver the peace of mind that their networks are secure and protected from even the most sophisticated attacks.

Let’s get a conversation going on Twitter! Have you ever thought like a cybercriminal to prevent a data breach?

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and our IT experts will boost your cybersecurity so your business is well protected against possible data breach.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Why Your Employees Need Cybersecurity Awareness Training

When the databases of Target were breached by hackers, the debit and credit card information of 40 million customers were stolen.  This continues to be one of the most elaborate cybersecurity attacks in history.

Nowadays, there has been a growing number of cybersecurity hacks. Panera Bread, Uber, Under Armour, Delta, Whole Foods, and Macy’s are only a few of the companies that were affected. This doesn’t even include the cybersecurity incidents that involved the mismanagement of IT infrastructure, lapses in network security, and failures in data protection.

Big companies aren’t the only ones being attacked. Almost 61% of cybersecurity targets involve small businesses. Between damage reparations to halted operations, cyberattack has cost SMBs more than $2 million and they’ve been known to close down firms, and in worse cases, permanently.

By now you should have already realized that cyberattacks are more prevalent. That’s why you need to make sure that your employees are prepared when it comes to dealing with cybersecurity Columbia SC emergencies.

 

 

Why Is Cybersecurity Awareness Training Important

 

More than half of the data breaches faced by enterprises are caused by third party vendors, contractors, and employees who have been negligent. This is one of the worries of IT managers and network administrators. With data breaches expected to be more prevalent, so does the possibility of employee mistakes as well as data breaches that may have been unknowingly caused by workers. The follow cultural and workplace trends only emphasize why it is more essential than ever to create cybersecurity awareness training with your staff members.

1. Telecommuting – mobile and cloud technologies have made telecommuting a possibility. Companies have to shore up end to end remote networks for staff to connect safely back to their offices.
2. Increased government regulation – the importance of systems, training, and cybersecurity practices isn’t confined to private businesses. Government legislators and agencies are catching up too.
3. The IoT – Companies and their employees should be preemptive even if the Internet of Things is still on its infacy.

 

Cybertattacks Employees Are Susceptible To:

 

1. Phishing – also referred to as social-engineering attacks, this type of cyberattack is common among businesses. Phishing scams want employees to download malicious files or click on infected links, which are embedded in emails.
2. Malware Attacks – aims to trick employees to download infected email attachments so hackers can breach a network, server, or device.
3. Fileless Attacks – these are modern cybersecurity threats that do not use infected links or malicious attachments. Fileless attacks will use whatever is available like vulnerable programs, applications, or software that employees use on a regular basis.
4. Employee Errors – one third of the cybersecurity attacks on companies are due to human errors. The most common accidents are as follows:

• Unintended disclosures
• Improper disposals
• Accidental deletions

 

Cybersecurity Awareness Methods You Should Use

 

1. Don’t Use Jargons – leave the technical terms to the experts. Talk to your employees using a language they can understand.
2. Your Trainings Should Be Engaging – Avoid making the cybersecurity awareness trainings an obligation that your employees need to fulfill. Make it an exciting activity for your workers so they will actively participate.
3. Awareness Methods Must Be Quantifiable – good strategies lead to good and measurable results.
4. Stay Positive – there should be a balance between emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity awareness and providing positive updates.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now for more information about cybersecurity awareness training.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats Faced By Small Businesses

 

In most cases, large companies that got hit by cyberattacks take the attention of the media. But did you know that most cyberattacks that took place last year targeted small businesses, those with less than 250 employees. Cybercrime is evolving and it has become a big and lucrative business. IT experts even predict that the cyberattacks will cost the world $6 trillion by 2021. As a small business owner, you must not take cybersecurity for granted especially if a part of most of your business are done online.

Cybercrime Statistics In 2019

• Verizon reported that 43% of cyberattacks targeted small businesses.
• 52% of the data breaches were done through hacking, 33% through social attacks, 28% through malware, and 15% through misuse of authorized file.
• Jupiter research report showed that the cost of data breach in 2019 reached $2 trillion.
• Cyberattacks increased from 40% to 55% from 2018 to 2019.
• Symantec’s report found that 1 out of 323 mails is malicious.
• Cybersecurity Columbia SC ventures predicted that a ransomware attack would happen every 14 seconds.

 

 

Cyberthreats For Small Businesses

Ransomware

For the past few years, ransomware has evolved into a huge threat for small, medium, and large enterprises. It is a kind of malware that encrypts the victim’s personal or work computer or other electronic device. You won’t have any access to your files for as long as the hackers want unless you pay a ransom.

Signs of Ransomware Attacks:

• Malicious emails
• Encrypted files
• Locked web browser
• Locked computer
• Missing files from database
• Unable to open some of your files

Phishing

Phishing is another threat to small businesses. Every business nowadays depend on emails and hackers have found a way to use it against business owners and even regular individuals.

The primary goal of phishing is to obtain confidential information. It begins with an email that aims to make the recipient believe that it comes from a legitimate sender. Once you or one of your employees opens the email, and clicks on a link, the malware will then be automatically be installed in your system or network.

Symptoms of a Phishing Attack

• Email from an unknown individual asking for money
• Email from a popular news organization asking you to click on “Read More” to view the whole story
• Email from government agencies asking you to check your insurance coverage or bank deposit
• Email about a complaint you filed

Middle Man Attacks With MITM

An MITM or man-in-the-middle attack is a smooth and clean attack that happens when a hacker targets your network and communication servers. The usual targets are ecommerce sites, SaaS businesses, and financial enterprises.

Signs of MITM Attacks

• Popups on browser screen asking for your credentials
• Public or open wifi network with an unusual name
• Twin network that has a similar name with a known company’s wifi network
• Error messages
• Fake software updates

Drive-By Downloads Leads To Unstoppable Popups

Drive-by downloads are the main cause of unintentional downloads. This type of cyberattack happens when a malicious cod is downloaded into your mobile devices or computer system unintentionally. Your system may still be infected even if you didn’t click on any suspicious link or download now button. Hackers will always try to find a way to add a malicious code into one of the pages of a website to or directly into your HTTP.

Signs of Drive-By Downloads:

• API calls for a different plugin
• Your site will keep on redirecting to a different website
• Popups keep on coming up on your screen

SQL Injection

Hackers will try to innovate or reinvent new ways to get access to databases and one of those methods is SQL injection. Structured Query Language injection takes place when a cybercriminal inserts a malicious code into your server that utilizes SQL. The problem begins once an infected server keeps the information of clients. These information may include passwords, user id, credit card numbers, and other personal information.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts help lessen the risk of your business from being targeted by cybercriminals.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence