IT Trends & Technology

Intrusion Prevention System, or IPS as it is commonly referred to as, is undeniably the first level of defense in providing competent network security in real time.  It’s an active, in-line device, capable of provisioning security at all system levels from the operating system, to network data packets. The IPS stops network-based threats before they can impact the business operations of an organization.  Preemptive protection, which is protection that works ahead of a threat, is available by means of a combination of line-speed performance, security intelligence, and a modular protection engine that enables security convergence.    

When it comes to securing any corporate environment, the more in depth detail you have, the better. Depending on the size of an organization, a single day can be comprised of millions, or even billions of logs. At first glance this can seem like nothing more than informational nonsense, but these bread crumbs are the key to not only diagnosing a problem, but also possibly uncovering a breach.

OMAHA, Neb. – August 9, 2016 – First National Technology Solutions (FNTS), the recognized leader in the managed IT services industry, today announced it is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) 3.1 Certified. Recognizing the importance of a proactive security approach, FNTS maintains compliance with the highest standards to ensure its customers’ data is always safe, secure and available. 

You’ve heard the story before – Company X or Hospital Y cannot access their information systems, nor can they restore from backup for a variety of reasons.  How did they lose access?  Malware encrypted the file system and “hackers” (if you wish to call them hackers – I refer to them as extortionists) will only provide the decryption key for the right price.  This activity is referred to as “ransomware,” and is defined as “malware that infects computer systems and restricted users’ access” (US CERT). Imagine losing either a critical part of your business, or in certain cases, the entire business with no recourse. If the only option was to pay the extortionists, you would need to know how to purchase and send bitcoin, something not many are intimately familiar with. 

There is no compromise when it comes to security.  First National Technology Solutions is unique to the managed services industry because they offer security services to organizations who might not be at the point of outsourcing but require stringent security standards and industry compliant regulations. 

When connected to the Internet, your data can be vulnerable during transit.  Here are a few internet best practices 

Safe computing practices & tips to use on all your internet-connected devices

OMAHA, NEB. (PRWEB) APRIL 26, 2016

First National Technology Solutions (FNTS) has been certified by Deloitte & Touche, LLP to be SOC 2 Type II compliant by the standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), announced Rob LaMagna-Reiter, director of Information Security.  “Providing our customers with added peace of mind regarding the security and availability of their data demonstrates that we remain committed to giving them the confidence that their information is secure within a data center that has gone through a stringent and rigorous audit process,” he said.

Retirement, this word can invoke many different feelings when spoken.  For those that are up in years, they can look at retirement as one big, long vacation! Woohoo! Can’t wait, right?  But for those that are ‘retiring’ from playing their favorite sport at a ripe age of 30, they may not be so enthusiastic about the concept.  And so there are different reactions to this word ‘retirement’.  For me, I would like to retire sooner than later so that I have some good years left….but I digress.

Private cloud solutions make sense when they make sense. One of the challenges for the CTO of a company is trying to determine if their strategic IT direction will be to utilize a private cloud.

What can companies do about the security of private company information when it comes to employees using their own devices for work?

Do:

The most important thing for a company is to have a plan. Without it, you will be playing catch up as employees bring their own mobile devices into work. Make sure you understand what data must be protected and the storage requirements necessary for it. There are many types of data ranging from intellectual property to protected customer information such as personal financial information, customer credit card data (PCI), or protected health information (HIPAA). Each of these may require different levels of control/protection. In addition to information protected by laws and regulations, your contractual relationships may determine how data is accessed and where it is stored. Control and protection of information may range from basic vendor management, encryption of data at rest, to prohibited devices. [Note: If you have PCI or HIPAA requirements it is best to discuss this with a PCI or HIPAA expert.]

In the midst of spring, the severe weather threats of torrential rain, hail, and more importantly, high winds and tornadoes.  Many companies, especially small organizations should be reviewing their disaster contingency plans. However, many do not have adequate, if any, business continuity plans or have heavily outdated plans that are not reviewed regularly from an IT perspective in the event of a disaster.