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ISG Technology Recognized on CRN’s 2023 Security 100 List

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Overland Park, KS, March 15, 2023 — ISG Technology, today announced that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, will feature ISG Technology to its Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Security 100 category for 2023. CRN’s annual MSP 500 list identifies the industry-leading service providers in North America who are driving a new wave of growth and innovation for the channel through forward-thinking approaches to managed services, helping end users increase efficiency and simplify IT solutions, while maximizing their return on investment.

MSPs have become a vital part of the success of businesses worldwide. MSPs not only empower organizations to leverage intricate technologies but also help them keep a strict focus on their core business goals without straining their budgets.

The annual MSP 500 list is divided into three sections: the MSP Pioneer 250, recognizing companies with business models weighted toward managed services and largely focused on the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, recognizing large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on- and off-premises services; and the Managed Security 100, recognizing MSPs focused primarily on off-premises and cloud-based security services.

“We continue to see increasing demand for our managed services, especially our managed security offering.” “Unfortunately, too many companies are experiencing breaches and then getting ahold of us to remediate the situation. It’s keeping our incident response team busy, but we’d prefer to help companies get proactive with their cybersecurity efforts and their overall IT operations.”

Brent McCollum, COO of ISG Technology

“Managed services offer a path for businesses of all sizes to remain efficient and flexible as they grow,” said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. “The solution providers on our 2023 MSP 500 list are bringing innovative managed services portfolios to market, helping their customers win by doing more with the IT budgets they have and freeing up resources to focus on mission-critical activities to drive future success.”

Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2023 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/msp500.

About ISG Technology

ISG Technology helps organizations unlock possibilities so they can realize their full business potential. They do it by providing a unique combination of managed IT services, technology consulting, professional services, and cloud/data center solutions.

Part of the Twin Valley Family of Companies and a fourth-generation family business, ISG Technology has grown and evolved into the recognized leader in the Midwest by aligning its success with the long-term success of its clients. They are consistently recognized in CRN’s Top IT Providers in the nation, most recently as part of the Tech Elite 150 for excellence in managed IT services.

ISG is headquartered in Overland Park, KS, with 8 locations across the Midwest including a regional network of SOC II Certified data centers. For more information please contact Scott Strickler, Director of Marketing, ISG Technology, 913-826-6058.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

© 2023 The Channel Company LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Natalie Lewis

The Channel Company

nlewis@thechannelcompany.com

5 Cybersecurity Tips to Remember During the Holidays

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The holidays are a time for family, friends, and celebration. But they are also a time when your personal information is most at risk. Cybercriminals take advantage of the holiday season to try and steal your data and money.

This is why it’s more important than ever to be aware of cybersecurity risks and take steps to protect yourself during the holidays. Here, we will discuss 5 cybersecurity tips to remember during the holidays.

Cybersecurity is More Important Than Ever During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a great time for cybercriminals. This is because, more than ever before, people are shopping online and entering their personal information into websites without considering the risks.

Cybercriminals know that this time of year, customers have an increased demand for online services. They also know that people are more likely to be in a rush and may not take the necessary steps to protect their information.

As a result, it’s important to be aware of cybersecurity risks and stay vigilant while using your personal information online during the holidays.

5 Cybersecurity Tips to Keep in Mind During the Holiday Season

It’s more important than ever to be aware of cybersecurity risks and take steps to protect yourself during the holidays. Here are five tips!

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

First of all, there is a lot of lingo that comes with talking about cybersecurity. It is important to have a good idea of what certain words and phrases mean when joining this conversation.

MFA is a security measure that requires two or more components to authorize access – usually, something you know (a PIN or code), something you have (a security key or app), and something you are (biometrics like face ID or fingerprint). By enabling MFA on accounts and services, you can ensure that it is not just one account password preventing your personal data from getting into the wrong hands.

2. Only Input Personal Information in Trusted Sites

It is important to only input personal information such as credit/debit card numbers, addresses, and Social Security numbers on trusted sites. To ensure you are visiting a secure website look for “https” at the beginning of the address and make sure you trust the organization.

3. Beware of Phishing

Cybercriminals may try to steal your personal information by sending phishing emails disguised as genuine and legitimate messages, so be sure to exercise caution when dealing with any suspicious emails.

Over 15 billion phishing emails are passed through the internet every day with 83% of organizations saying they experienced phishing attacks in 2021. Look for inconsistencies in the email address, spelling/grammar errors, or requests for sensitive information such as usernames and passwords.

4. Update Software

Outdated software can potentially leave you more vulnerable to malicious attacks, so make sure to keep all of your devices up-to-date with the latest security patches. Outdated software is a major source of network insecurity.

Partner with ISG to Boost Your Cybersecurity

With cybersecurity being a larger threat than ever and hackers constantly innovating and getting more sophisticated—protecting and preparing your business is a massive responsibility. Managed Security through a cybersecurity partner has become more of a necessity. 

ISG Technology’s fully managed security solution protects networks from existing and future cybersecurity threats. With ISG as your cybersecurity partner, we allow you to focus on your business as we take care of its cybersecurity.

By taking the time to understand these tips, you can better protect yourself and feel fully safe during this holiday season and beyond. Contact us today to make sure your business is equipped and secured with the right cybersecurity partner you need for your business. 

Financial Institutions Waging War on Ransomware

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The content of this blog post is based on our recent webinar that you can watch here. 

Cybercriminals follow where the money is. With all the money involved in financial institutions, it is no surprise they are one of the most threatened organizations. 

It is vitally important to make sure your financial institution remains secure and compliant against cyber threats and has a security response plan in place in case you do suffer an attack.

Don’t Play the Blame Game

There is no room for passing blame when getting to the bottom of a security issue or vulnerability. Blaming discourages people from coming forward and getting all the information IT security professionals need to solve the problem. The person who is attacked is the victim, and the victim should never be blamed.

The Journey: Constant Patching and Configuration

Constantly patching and configuring vulnerabilities in your network is one way to keep your institution safe from attacks. New threats come along constantly, but so do new patches and protection procedures. Staying on top of it could be what saves your institution from an attack. 

It is a constant journey—there is no destination. Simple policies can go a long way for security preparation. Security awareness training for employees on a regular basis, phishing tests, audit firewalls, vulnerability tests, and risk assessments are all simple low-costing steps to take to better prepare, educate, and protect your institution. 

What you Should Look for in a Cyber Security Partner

Whether it is data, physical assets, or personal information—it is important to define what you are trying to secure when looking for a cybersecurity partner and where that information is. It is also helpful to contact their past or current clients and see what their experience was like. 

Cloud Data, Responsibility, and Cyber Insurance 

Cloud services are incredibly helpful for business. However, moving data to the cloud is moving your data to another data center—this does not mean you are no longer responsible for it. The same compliance and checks are expected. You are still liable for the security of your data.

When it comes to the cloud, it is important to know exactly what your cloud provider’s patch strategy is and know if there have been background checks on their employees. Your cyber insurance should not be your cyber response policy. 

It is also very important to name someone in your institution responsible for security. It has to be made a key responsibility and an organizational value and have someone be in charge of it. You could hire security staff, train everyone and make everyone responsible, or get managed security services. 

Common Threats to the Financial Industry 

There are many cybersecurity threats to financial institutions. SQL injection, credential phishing, credit card manipulation or theft, and remote employees’ login information are some of the most prevalent threats facing the financial industry. 

Credibility and Insurance when Breached 

Having IT security, executives, and public relations professionals involved in the conversation is vitally important when it comes to a response to a crisis. Having an outline and knowledge about what should be said to the customers and consumers to keep credibility after a disaster should be part of an insurance policy. 

It is important to publicly respond correctly when something happens. Cyber insurance has to be looked at from an executive and PR perspective as well as a technical one.  

The financial industry is a massive target for cybercriminals. ISG Technology has the proper security controls and preparation for cybersecurity attacks that are essential for your institution’s protection and can be your guard against cyber criminals. Contact us today for a consultation with our experts and see how we can help keep your institution safe. 

Educators Waging War on Ransomware

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The content in this blog is based on a recent webinar hosted by ISG Technology that you can watch here.

With the development and innovation of technology that we see in our world today, there are dangerous innovations being developed as well—cyber attacks. As technology becomes more and more prominent, so do cybercriminals. 

No matter what industry you are in, every business needs to be prepared and have the right cybersecurity protocols and protections in place. Even those working in education. 

Though educators do not seem like targets to cyber criminals—no industry is safe from cyber-attacks unless the right measures are put in place. Everyone is a target. 

The Explosion of Online Education Resources

If you consider the spectrum of education from kindergarten to higher education, there is an incredible amount of educational resources out there. Though students have started to return to schools after the pandemic, the expansion of online resources has not stopped. 

Ransomware has also become very prevalent in the education space. There is a lot of sensitive information involved with education. In K-12 education, one in every three devices contains some kind of sensitive data. 

How Hackers Can Get in Through and Securing IoT

Ransomware attacks are happening everywhere and from every point. There are countless points of entry to your network. 

The network that the devices in your school are connected to, or the Internet of Things (IoT), is very important to consider. It could be a point of entry for ransomware attacks that is not secure. It can feel overwhelming, but there has to be a plan put in place and effective implementation to make sure your network is secure. 

Double Extortion

If you fall victim to ransomware, hackers lock up your data and force you to pay for the encryption. What’s happening now is hackers are copying our data—and once you pay for the encryption—they threaten to expose your sensitive data unless you pay more. This is called Double Extortion.

There are a lot of malware encounters in the education space as well. 5.5 million encounters were reported just from May to June this year.  

K-12 Cyber Security Act

The CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) is coming out with guidelines and toolkits to address and prepare for cybersecurity issues schools are facing. However, the problem is so great that schools need to go deeper. 

Higher Education Institutions Have Unique Data

In higher education, there is a lot of data and research involved – sensitive information about students and teachers. A lot of this data can be very useful for cybercriminals.

Policy and Procedure and The Consequences of not Protecting Infrastructure

When it comes to vulnerability, it is important to find a security provider that exposes you to the holes in your system. With so many threats, the policy and its process is the key. Phishing simulation software can also be very helpful to stay on guard against attacks. 

Failing to protect your infrastructure is going to bring consequences. Whether that be at the cost of time, money, or reputation. It puts your people at risk. 

Fundamentals, Visibility, and Tracking – The Keys to Success

Setting up fundamental security measures can make a huge difference in protecting your network. Measures such as an active directory, MFA, and a password protection policy. Getting these elements down will allow you to focus on the larger issues facing your organization. 

Making your IT infrastructure 100% visible to those in charge of security operations and having the ability to track and gather the metrics can dramatically change your protection and security. The two most important metrics in security operations are the time it takes to detect an issue and the time it takes to remediate (response time). 

ISG Technology has the tools and expertise to work with your organization to make sure the proper controls are in place to protect and prepare your infrastructure against cyber attacks. 

To find out more about how to protect and prepare your organization and its students against cyber threats and ransomware, contact us today.

7 Key Takeaways From the Kaseya Ransomware Attack

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By now you’ve seen the headlines about the Kaseya cyberattack – one of the largest ransomware events in history that unfolded over the 4th of July weekend. This attack, which targeted Kaseya’s remote monitoring and management tool for handling networks and endpoints, immediately caused a ripple effect across the IT supply chain, affecting roughly 50 Managed IT Service Providers and 800 – 1,500 of the small to medium-sized businesses that they serviced.  

Unfortunately, this not only makes Kaseya the latest name to add to a growing list of high profile organizations such as Microsoft, Juniper, Solar Winds, the Colonial Pipeline, and many others to be breached, making makes it one of the largest. The cybercriminals responsible for the attack reportedly demanded upwards of $70 Million to restore the affected systems. 

Rather than re-tell the story of what happened, which you can find from dozens of articles, like this one from ZDNet, we’d like to share a few insights all businesses should take away from the situation. 

1 – It’s not a matter of if, but when 

We sincerely hope the sheer volume of breaches seen in daily news feeds has every business realizing YOU WILL BE HIT AT SOME POINT. All the companies listed above had invested heavily in hardening their security posture before they were breached (and continue to do so), but the bad guys found a way in. Even small businesses that think they’re too small to matter to cybercriminals are targets.  

2 – You need an incident response game plan 

In Kaseya CEO’s response, he pointed out that only one of 27 of their modules was compromised because of the quick and decisive action they took when they realized what had happened. If they hadn’t had a response plan and acted according to it, the damage could have been far worse – for them and their customers. 

3 – Cyber insurance is necessary – But not all policies are created equal 

As stated above, eventually your network will be compromised. And even if you have an incident response plan that you follow by the book, you could experience financial repercussions. Cyber insurance can help you weather that storm. But like all insurance types, not all policies are created equal. Watch out for policies that are more interested in forensic reports to understand how it happened than getting your business back up and running. You can do both.  

4 – Backups are your best friend in a breach 

In every security incident, we’ve remediated, one of our first go-to actions is to evaluate the organization’s backups. If set up properly, following 3-2-1-0 backup best practices, the disaster recovery time is significantly reduced, and paying the ransomware is not even a consideration. However, if you don’t have a well-constructed, business continuity/data protection plan, a ransomware attack can be catastrophic for a business.  

5 – If you don’t have a security roadmap, you need one 

If it were measured as a country, then cybercrime — which is predicted to inflict damages totaling $6 trillion USD globally in 2021 — would be the world’s third-largest economy after the U.S. and China. For this reason alone, you need a well-documented, security roadmap that is discussed monthly (or even better weekly). In every breach remediation, we’ve worked on, the client would have saved thousands in remediation costs if they had some of the fundamental protections in place. Our 5 steps to strengthen security is a good place to start if you need help in doing this.  

6 – Establish a culture of security 

Unless your employees are all cybersecurity experts, they are by far your biggest liability. And even though this particular breach came through a different avenue, it doesn’t change the fact that over 90% of breaches originate with employees clicking on a phishing email. This is why strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and building a culture of security that includes security awareness training is so crucial. We like to think of our employees as a human firewall.  

7 – The pros of RMM outweigh the cons 

As mentioned above, it’s not a matter of if you’ll experience a breach, it’s a matter of when. And because of this, you need reputable remote monitoring tools to manage your network – whether deployed by an MSP or yourself. The service of keeping endpoints and networks patched and up to date is absolutely critical in today’s world.  

“According to a 2019 Security Boulevard study, 60% of breaches reported were  
linked to patches that were available, but not yet applied.” 

The point is that even though Kaseya and the MSPs affected may have lost the trust of their clients right now because of a vulnerability in their RMM tool, the service they have been providing has prevented criminals from exploiting unpatched networks for years. It took a very sophisticated, coordinated attack by a criminal organization to exploit this vulnerability. If your networks are unpatched, it doesn’t require near that level of effort or sophistication to get in and deliver a payload.  

https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-kaseya-ransomware-attack-everything-we-know-so-far/

Digital Handbook: 5 Steps to Strengthen Cybersecurity Posture
Webinar: 5 Critical Steps to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Posture
60% of Breaches in 2019 Involved Unpatched Vulnerabilities

Three ways your SMB customers are more secure with Microsoft 365 Business

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We all read about the big data breaches – the ones that hit major corporations, with millions of personal records compromised. But today’s cybercriminals aren’t picky. Their nets catch businesses of any size, from the newest garage startup to well-established organizations with several hundred employees. Those are the businesses with perhaps the most to lose from a successful attack, whether from an interruption in business service or outright theft of customer or product information. 

Statistics bear this out: 

  • Surveys show that 58 percent of business-related cyberattacks are directed at small- to medium-sized business.[1] 
  • Average cost of a data breach to these businesses: $120,000.[2] 
  • And yet, 62 percent of SMBs lack effective digital protection.[3] 

But we get it. We know your customers probably feel overwhelmed with just running a business, let alone installing protection against digital thieves. That’s why showing your clients the benefits of the modern security built into Microsoft 365 Business helps you build a thriving practice. At the same time, you’ll give your SMB customers the ability to simplify their security strategy and confidently embrace new technology. 

Here are three reasons why your customers will thank you for helping them adopt the modern productivity cloud solution with leading security: Microsoft 365 Business. 

  1. Defend against cyber-attacks: Your customers will get protection from sophisticated, external cyber threats hidden in email attachments and links, and get cutting-edge defenses against phishing and spoofing attacks, ransomware, and other advanced malware attempts. These attacks are becoming more sophisticated every day, and the SMB space is a frequent target. 
  2. Retain control over their company data and documents – This is something that will give your customers peace of mind. Protection from data leaks will help them protect sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. They also can control access to important company documents, even after those documents have been shared outside your company. 
  3. Manage apps, data, and documents on any device: Customers have full control over their company data. Regardless of the device type or operating system, iOS, macOS, Android, or Windows, Microsoft 365 Business helps you manage mobile devices. 

Plus, when you sell your customers on the security benefits of Microsoft 365 Business, you have the backing of Microsoft’s industry-leading experience protecting people and data. Microsoft is a serious security vendor, with a ton of experience in this space and the numbers to back it up. For example, each month our Outlook.com and Office 365 emails services analyze some 400 billion emails for security threats. We provide enterprise security for 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and operate more than 200 global cloud, consumer, and commercial services – all of which require advanced security. 

Best of all, moving customers to Microsoft 365 Business increases your value to customers. You can support one integrated solution across productivity, security, and device management while simplifying your customer’s technology investment and enabling them to operate more efficiently, cost-effectively, and securely. It also creates room for you to earn with managed services and Modern Workplace incentives. 

Visit the US SMB Modern Workplace landing page for resources related to starting a security practice and GTM assets to win new customers. Be sure to also watch this Advanced Security Opportunity webinar to learn more about the partner opportunity around Microsoft 365 Business that will increase your revenue and provide a stronger connection with your customers. 

[1] Verizon 2018 Data Breach Investigations Report 

[2] Kaspersky Lab study, 2018 

[3] Underserved and Unprepared: The State of SMB Cyber Security in 2019. 

Implementing Security at the Core of Your Infrastructure

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To survive as a business these days, you simply can’t afford to ignore security. However, as bad actors and cyber threats continue to evolve, it becomes harder and harder to keep your sensitive data safe—even for the most advanced security operations. 

It’s no longer a question of if your business will get attacked, but when. So, what can you do about it?

The first step is to ensure that you have a multi-layered cybersecurity model. After covering all the standard weaknesses in a network, you can take security one step further by building it into the infrastructure of your system. 

When it comes to built-in security, we recommend HPE Gen10 servers with their new silicon root of trust. These are the most secure servers on the market, and they recognize threats from the moment they begin to launch.

Layer Your Security Measures

First and foremost, you need to make sure you have the proper security measures in place, including:

  • Firewall. A strong and stable firewall is a vital piece of cybersecurity infrastructure, and it is a tried-and-true piece of your organization’s defense against threats and cyber attacks. 
  • Web Security. Web filtering stops threats before they have the chance to reach your network and defends you against online attacks while allowing your employees to continue performing at their highest levels.
  • Email Security. Did you know that one in every eight employees will share information on phishing sites? This means you need to do all you can to prevent phishing attacks by amping up your email security. 
  • Employee Security Awareness. Preventing cyber attacks requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. You’ll need to train employees about cyber threats and the  best practices needed to keep company and personal data secure. 
  • Endpoint Protection. According to Forbes, 70 percent of all threats occur at the endpoint. That means you need to enhance your endpoint protection—the act of securing networks from every access point, including mobile phones and laptops.

To learn more about the steps you should be taking to strengthen your security, read our Digital Handbook: 5 Steps to Strengthen Cybersecurity Posture.

Build Security into the Core

In today’s world of continually evolving and growing cyber threats, you need security that goes beyond the traditional hardware and software layers. That’s why ISG partners with HPE, which has created the silicon root of trust: firmware-level protection that safeguards infrastructure.

Firmware-Level Defenses with HPE

The silicon root of trust is like a fingerprint. It binds all the firmware—UEFI, BIOS, complex programmable logic device, innovation engine, and management engine—into the silicon before the server is even built. 

When the server boots, it first checks to see that the fingerprint is correct. Then it checks through all the firmware systems and if any improper code is found, the server will immediately stop the process and lock down.

Simple Incident Response and Recovery

If a hacker tries to invade the server, they’ll be stopped before the threat can cause any harm, and you will be alerted immediately. 

When a breach is detected, you have three options: 

  1. Recover the server to its last known good state of firmware
  2. Restore factory settings
  3. Choose not to do recovery so that security teams can take the server offline and perform forensics.

A Secure Foundation for Your Infrastructure

Together, the firmware and silicon root of trust create an unbreakable bond that is forged from the beginning of the build process and carried through every element of the HPE supply chain. 

This means that cyber criminals will not be able to attack with malware through the server, bringing your system one step closer to impenetrability.

To learn more about HPE security, explore their Confidence at the Core digital brochure, and contact us for support in implementing this impressive technology.

Overcoming Alert Fatigue

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The major challenge in cybersecurity protection isn’t the lack of capable tools. It’s actually the human element. Cybersecurity teams experience alert fatigue, which hinders their ability to deal with threats.

Modern threat protection solutions generate many alerts, but not all received alerts pose threats. According to a study by McAfee, over 40% of IT experts say the majority of alerts lack actionable insights. Differentiating between the real threats and false ones can be a challenge.

The overwhelming number of alerts cause ‘alert fatigue,’ something that many IT personnel find hard to cope with. This is why many alerts end up being ignored.

Why Do IT Security Professionals Ignore Alerts?

With enterprises recording over 2 billion transactions monthly, lots of unnecessary alerts occur in the process. This huge number of alerts tend to be overwhelming. Due to a large number of false positives, 31.9% of IT experts said that the high frequency of alerts lead to some of them being ignored, according to McAfee.

While many of the alerts may be benign, ignoring them can be detrimental to any business. A 2014 data breach at Target cost $252 million. The IT personnel admitted to having seen the alert, but they ignored it because of the large number of false alerts.

How to Overcome Alert Fatigue

In a 2020 survey, 99% of IT professionals complained that high volumes of alerts made work harder. These alarming statistics show that despite having high-end solutions, your IT environment isn’t secure yet. As long security professionals experience alert fatigue, they’ll always ignore some alerts.

Successful cyber attacks and data breaches can lead to a diminished brand reputation, loss of customers, and huge financial losses. Overcoming alert fatigue is an important aspect of your security. Here are a few ways to do it.

Automating the Security Stack

To effectively minimize the risk of ignored alerts, you should look for automated solutions. They provide real-time analysis of security threats and help differentiate between high- and low-risk alerts. With automated solutions, it will be easier to detect and solve threats in real-time.

66% of teams that use high levels of automation in their IT resolve threats the same day. Those with low levels of automation find it hard to deal with security threats. 94% of IT teams say automation is the best method when faced with high-frequency alerts. 

Cloud Monitoring

Since most of the transactions that send alerts are in the cloud, there is a need for real-time cloud monitoring. As more businesses adopt cloud services and applications, more hackers will seek to occupy that gap.

With cloud monitoring, it’s easier to detect threats that might lead to attacks. You can easily detect the source of the attack, contain the damage, and prepare for similar attacks in the future.

Follow a Security Framework

A cybersecurity framework acts as the blueprint to a safe business. Depending on your business, you should have a security framework for data protection and compliance. At ISG, we follow the NIST Security Framework, which consists of 5 elements:

  • Identification

The first step should be to identify the potential risk facing your business. This involves classifying risks from high to low.

  • Detection

You should always monitor your systems so you can detect any vulnerabilities and threats.

  • Protection

You need to invest in the right protective technologies. This includes system patching and employee training.

  • Response

How do you respond to threats? Ideally, you should have a plan to evaluate and mitigate security breaches and a way to communicate with customers and staff.

  • Recovery

After an event, you’ll need to build your business back up with a recovery plan, including contingency plans.

Working With an IT Managed Service Provider to Overcome Alert Fatigue

Today’s attackers are smart, capable, and adaptable. That’s why, even with high-end solutions, detecting threats is a challenge. 

There are many tools that should be a part of your multi-layered cybersecurity approach, but they aren’t always enough on their own. You shouldn’t neglect the human element of cybersecurity.

If you’re concerned about alert fatigue with your IT team, or your cybersecurity posture in general, consider consulting with our IT professionals. We can help you identify where your systems and security can be strengthened and how to solve any IT problems you may be facing, including alert fatigue.

The Role of Firewalls in Defending Your Data

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A firewall is an essential part of your cybersecurity. It serves an integral part in your organization’s defense against threats and cyber attacks.

A firewall protects many vulnerable programs on your systems. It forms one of the crucial layers in a company’s layered security strategy. If you want a layered security architecture, you need a stable firewall.

Besides the firewall, your layered security should also include the following;

  • Regular assessments
  • Endpoint protection
  • Employee training and awareness
  • Web and email filtering
  • User access control
  • Patch management
  • Data backups

These elements constitute multi-layer cybersecurity. With these multiple security layers, your risk of a security breach is minimized.

What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a security firmware or software that forms a barrier between networks to allow and block certain traffic. It inspects traffic so that it can block threats that might harm your systems.

Firewalls are designed to authorize low-risk traffic that might not harm your network. If it detects harmful traffic, either from a virus or a hacker trying to gain entry, it blocks it immediately.

Just like a guard in your gates, a firewall prevents what’s coming in and going out. It uses pre-set commands to filter suspicious and unsecured sources. It guards traffic from a computer’s entry point.

Why is a Firewall Important?

It is vital to have a stable and reliable firewall in your company’s network. It plays a crucial role in protecting it from intruders. Ideally, it acts as a guard to your perimeter, performing the following tasks:

Preventing Hacks

With businesses taking a digital approach, hacking activities continue to rise significantly. A firewall defends you from unauthorized connections, potentially from hackers. Firewalls have become an essential part of any company that wants to protect its data. It can deter a hacker from accessing your network entirely.

Monitoring Network Traffic

A firewall monitors traffic at all times to safeguard your network. Your IT team can rely on the information gained from continuous monitoring to create advanced security layers.

Promoting Privacy

Since firewalls proactively keep your network safe, they promote brand reputation. Clients know they can trust your company with their data since all systems are secure and inaccessible by hackers. With a strong firewall, no data can be stolen whatsoever.

Different Types of Firewalls

There are multiple types of firewalls that help block malicious traffic, including proxy service, stateful inspection, and packet filtering. These firewalls limit network entry based on different criteria. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages, which is why firewall technology has produced something more well-rounded: next-generation firewalls.

Next-Generation Firewalls

A next-generation firewall (NGFW) combines all the strengths of past firewall technologies into one tool. This bundle of security measures includes elements such as:

  • Antivirus
  • Intrusion prevention
  • Encrypted traffic inspection
  • Deep packet inspection

NGFWs are more advanced than traditional firewalls and help forge your cybersecurity. They move beyond port/protocol, blocking to a more advanced protection system.

The Benefits of an NGFW  

A NGFW is a threat-focused approach that provides advanced risk detection. It’s the gold standard of firewall protection. If you have not implemented an NGFW, then you are doing your business a disservice.

Advanced Policy Control

Thanks to deep packet inspection, next-generation firewalls enable the use of internet applications that allow more productivity while blocking less desirable applications. Unlike the traditional firewalls that only allow or block traffic, NGFWs deny access to all applications considered insecure.

Content and User Identification

NGFWs monitor and scan content in real-time, so no data can leak. This includes filtering and files and threat identification. Also, these firewalls easily detect specific users responsible for traffic that poses threats.

Firewalls Reinforce a Layered Security Approach

Cybersecurty is crucial in today’s world. Threats are constantly evolving, and defenses must continuously improve to stay ahead. 

Securing your network should be a top priority for all businesses. The best way to remain secure is to implement a layered approach to your cybersecurity. 

At ISG Technology, we are committed to helping businesses improve their network security. Get in touch with us today to consult with our experts.

7 Habits of Highly Secure Organizations

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In today’s economy, businesses must understand and leverage the value of data to remain competitive and appealing. Data has enabled us to create more desirable products and better understand consumers’ behavior, becoming a company’s major asset. 

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And so, it becomes crucial to implement a bulletproof cybersecurity system to protect such an essential asset. But, data security is much more than that, and implementing organization-wide habits to keep this information secure should be part of any security system.

A recent survey by the Ponemon Institute and HPE identified 7 commonalities in the cybersecurity plans of highly-secure organizations. Jim Morrison, former FBI Computer Scientist and current HPE Distinguished Technologist, presented these principles in a special webinar for ISG Technology, in partnership with the Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The following is a summary of those principles.

1. They Value Security as Part of Digital Transformation

Technology has become an essential aspect of any business’s operations, and without investing in the current digital transformation, your company is likely to become outdated and less competitive quickly. 

However, along with these technological innovations come a few challenges that entrepreneurs can’t ignore. As your company gathers data, it becomes crucial to implement solid security systems. Security can’t be an afterthought. It should be an integral part of a digital transformation plan.

2. They Manage Risk Effectively

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Proactively and effectively managing the risks inherent in business is an essential component of a successful digital transformation. Throughout the digital transformation process, over 75% of high-performing enterprises work in close collaboration with a risk management team.

A risk management team can offer valuable advice regarding the implication of any initiative you are launching, identifying the areas that carry the highest cybersecurity risk, and can help build security into the design of new projects

3. They Use Security Automation

Human error still represents one of the major risks for any company’s security, despite how advanced our technological innovations have become. Eliminating or reducing manually-operated systems through automation can represent a suitable solution to this issue. 

Automation can play a major role in your security system. The automated system will introduce compliance as code, implement a standard response and access control system, and reduce reliance on the decisions made by an analyst.

4. They Implement a Zero Trust Model

When it comes down to protecting the data of your business, clients, employees, and contractors, you want to always be sure of your security. Implementing a Zero Trust model means you always verify the status of your security.

This is “not because workers are bad,” explained Jim Morrison, HPE Distinguished Technologist. “It’s that workers get distracted.”

HPE’s Silicon Root of Trust is a security measure built in to a server’s silicon. It provides a unique, immutable fingerprint that connects the silicon to the firmware. If the firmware is ever compromised by an attack, the Root of Trust will not allow the server to boot up. It’s the strongest hardware security solution on the market.

5. They Use Machine Learning

Machine learning is among the most revolutionary innovations of our era. Using machine learning in data security will decrease the company’s reliance on human perception and decision making.

Instead, the system itself is to recognize the voice, face, or optical character of whoever is trying to access data. This can help you implement a standard recognition and access system that will nearly eliminate human error.

6. They Purchase Cyber Insurance.

Today, investing in a cyber insurance policy is one of the best ways to protect your company against losses or damages due to data breaches, which can be extremely costly for any business. A cyber insurance policy can cover you in the event of business interruption, cyber-extortion, reputational damage, media liability, and more.

7. They Connect Privacy and Security

It’s crucial to understand that it is not possible to have privacy without a strong security system. Effective cybersecurity reduces the risk of privacy breaches for customers, employees, and partners. It also minimizes human error. Because of this, cybersecurity defenses and privacy measures are tied together. 

Understanding these perspectives on business security can help you find the weaknesses in your own cybersecurity posture. For help implementing the security measures you need, contact us today.