Historic piles of snow and ice have been shutting down unprepared businesses across the country! Winter is bearing down hard this year. Quantum was the latest in a series of terrible winter storms to create states of emergency all over North America, particularly in regions that don’t normally experience bad winters. Over 5 inches of snow in sunny South Carolina, 6 in Texas, and another 5 in Tennessee. Roads and schools shut down everywhere as mayors and governors declared states of emergency. Transit systems shut down, flights were cancelled, businesses closed, and workers were warned to STAY HOME. And to make matters worse, another storm is on the way. Winter Storm Remus is due to touch down soon, the 4th devastating storm in 10 days. Forecasts are calling for a stripe of accumulating snow from northeast Texas, southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana to northern Mississippi, northern Alabama, northern Georgia, Upstate South Carolina, North Carolina and southern Virginia. How much has your business already suffered because of this terrible winter? Are you prepared to keep operations running as more snow falls? Too many businesses just aren’t prepared for this kind of disaster! When your employees can’t work, you’re losing more than just payroll dollars to every minute of downtime: Costly expenses to get systems back online Serious hit to your bottom line Missed business opportunities Damaged reputation Don’t be caught unprepared! {company} will help you keep working no matter how deep the snow is outside. We’re battening down our own hatches as more snow falls, but we know we’ll be prepared to keep serving all our clients in any weather. How? It’s all part of our Business Continuity Strategy: Employees work remotely accessing work data via cloud technologies. Important files and applications are backed up just in case in-office equipment is damaged. Policies for completing operations from home are put in place in case the office is closed for days. Email and phones are still running in the cloud even if the power goes out. Automatic communications sent out to clients assuring them they’ll still be taken care of during the storm. Our employees are ready to work from home, and all our clients are still taken care of. Our Business Continuity Strategy means the workday continues even in the worst snowstorm. Can you say the same? Don’t leave your business stranded when the next storm hits! Call {company} at {phone} to book your no-obligation business continuity assessment.

How happy are you with your businesses security? Are you being given the best, or just getting by? A security heat map of your system can provide that answer if you’re not quite sure. Conducting a full assessment will show you where your strengths are and, even more importantly, what’s at risk. Proper cyber security could mean the difference between thriving and going under after a breach. You need to be sure you’re covered from every angle. We provide the tools you need to ensure your business would pass any security heat map. The Basics are Important The basic forms of protection are there for a reason. They may seem insignificant, but they help to keep your business protected against cybercrime. If a heat map reveals you don’t have proper firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spam then you’ve definitely got a problem on your hands. Heat maps can also look at whether your email filtering is properly implemented. A huge number of today’s cyber-attacks occur through email, with faulty links that end up doing serious damage not only to a computer but to an entire network. Educating your staff is essential. Trust is important, but when your workers are setting up passwords and using the web they need to know how to stay safe. Security heat maps should check on password strength and overall data protection. You Need to Be Covered A flaw in your security could easily cripple your business – once a hacker has access to your network, they move quickly and do a ton of damage in a small amount of time. If you lose client information or company data, you can lose trust forever. A security heat map will determine exactly where your issues are and what needs to be fix. We can help get you up to date and fully protected so that when your next security check rolls around, your system is functioning at its peak and keeping you totally secure. To learn more about security heat maps and how to keep your business safe, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Make Sure Your Lenovo Laptop Isn’t at Risk From a Newly Discovered Cybercrime Security Threat! If you use a Lenovo laptop, you’re at great risk of being hacked right now. It was recently discovered that Lenovo had recently sold laptops packaged with Superfish adware automatically installed on them. What does that mean? Not only is adware an annoying and completely unnecessary addition to a computer (embedding advertising into browsers like Internet Explorer and Google Chrome), but Superfish comes with a dangerous bit of code that leaves the door to your computer open wide to any hacker on your network! If Superfish is active on your computer, it allows anyone sharing your WIFI network to easily and quietly hijack your web browser and poke through all your private files. Your usernames, passwords, bank credentials, and other personal information… all an open book to a cybercriminal drooling at the thought of stealing your identity or holding your data hostage. If you’ve bought a Lenovo laptop, you need to ensure that you aren’t vulnerable to this terrible threat! Lenovo has released a set of instructions and a download for removing the Superfish threat, and you need to immediately follow these instructions and ensure your computer is safe. If you do discover evidence of Superfish on your computer, take immediate action to start reinforcing your security. Change your passwords, contact your bank to check for unauthorized activity, and call {company} at {phone} right away. We’ll help you remove all traces of Superfish from your laptop and install a clean version of Windows with no adware or other security threats built in. We’ll also ensure you’re using the right security products to stop unauthorized access and keep your vital data backed up in case of disaster. Lenovo has lost a lot of consumer trust with this scandal, and it makes it difficult to know who you can turn to for safe and reliable information technology. {company} is your guide to the murky waters of IT. Our {city} managed services include vendor management and connections to help you procure the right equipment for your needs without worrying about preinstalled adware or potential security threats. Stop worrying about whether you’re at risk from companies that don’t have your best interests in mind. Contact our team at {phone} or {email} to discover the right IT at the right price, for the right reasons.

Can You See Yourself Wearing A Fashionable SmartWatch This Year? With their compact size, easy access and minimalist style, it looks like smart watches are heading towards being a new popularity trend, but is it safe to say that smart watches are the next big hit? Will they prove to be useful to professionals on the go and busy business owners, or are they just another fad that no one will remember this time next year? With the growing need to stay connected to business at all times, modern professionals may actually want to keep their eyes on the new smart watches coming out. To business owners, the smart watch is already beginning to prove a useful tool, as well as a practical fashion statement. There are many smart watches that are already in the market, such as the Pebble Steel and the LG G Watch R, and there are expected to be more coming to the market soon. Projected to arrive early in 2015, Apple is releasing the Apple Watch, which has many features including the ability to sync with the iPhone. According to Apple, “It uses multiple technologies in conjunction with your iPhone to keep time within 50 milliseconds of the definitive global time standard.” Although Apple is not the first to have created the watch, it will definitely push the market and gear social media towards this new device, which holds many reasons that people enjoy its use. So why is the smart watch becoming such a popular item? There are several reasons: Convenience. Imagine hearing a ping and glancing at your wrist instead of going through the same old routine of digging your smartphone out of your pocket, unlocking it, and scrolling through it just to see what the notification was. Compact size. Smart watches are light on the wrist, and the screen is not any bigger than it should be to deliver notifications to you, have the time, and help you keep track of your health and fitness with exercise programs. Simplicity. With the small size also comes a delightful way to interact with your contacts and all the necessary programs in a clean-cut, simple way. According to Forbes magazine, “Smart watches are rapidly becoming the accessory to have, both for manufacturers and consumers.” Will we see the rise of smart watches on the market and on the wrists of those in business and management? It certainly looks that way. Looking to take advantage of smart watches and other mobile devices for your business? Contact {company} at {phone} or {email} for all your {city} IT support needs. We’ll help you invest in the right technology at the right price for the right reasons, so you stay ahead of modern trends and don’t fall for any fads.

With Valentine’s Day approaching it’s not just time to think about your romantic relationships, but your business partnerships as well. Is your IT service company showing you the love, or are you feeling more and more like an after-thought? No relationship can survive on a one-way street, and if your IT Company isn’t paying attention to your needs and providing the services you require to succeed, it’s time to move on. What should you be looking for in an optimal relationship with your IT service company? Ongoing Conversation If you don’t know what’s going on with your system and technology, then something is wrong. Your IT Service Company needs to keep you in the loop – without conversation, there’s no relationship. System maintenance and upgrades are important and knowing how your IT team is taking care of you is crucial to working successfully. Regular discussions will also keep your team aware of goals and budgetary concerns. Being Aware of Your Needs Your business is totally unique – no two companies are identical, and it’s important that your service company recognizes that. Generic services just won’t cut it. Your support team needs to pay attention to your unique industry needs and be aware of compliance requirements that need to be met. Applications and tools geared towards you will keep your business on top. Peace of Mind Like any good relationship, feeling secure is essential. If you’re getting adequate service but still feel unsure about your systems protection, it’s time to cut your IT Company loose. Using the best firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spam tools while also monitoring your system and backing up your important data is crucial, and if your company isn’t doing that, they’re not cutting it. Don’t waste time and energy worrying about your security when a great IT team can keep it safe. If you’re just not feeling the love from your current IT service company, then now is the time to call {company}. We provide the absolute best support possible and give your business the attention it deserves. Contact us at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Cyber Security Breaches Continue To Cost Businesses Well Into The Future! Kaspersky Lab and B2B international conducted a study which found that a DENIAL OF SERVICE (DDoS) attack can cost companies big – averages run from about $52,000 to $444,000 in loses depending on the size of the company. Not only is this obviously a huge financial strain in and of itself, but it can also do long-term damage to a company’s reputation. According to the study, 61% of DDoS victims suffered temporary loss of access to critical business data, while 38% were unable to carry out their business. 33% of companies that responded reported loss of contracts and business opportunities. Insurance premiums were increased in 26% of cases, and 29% found a negative impact on their credit rating. These sums include the cost of remediating the consequences incurred by the attack, such as the 65% of companies who consulted with IT specialists afterwards. Kaspersky reported that 49% of firms paid to fix their IT systems, while nearly 50% had to consult with lawyers or risk managers. What Are You Willing To Risk By Not Completing A Cyber Risk Assessment? In most cases, DDoS attacks and the disruption they cause become public – 72% of victims said they made information available through their resources, 43% spoke to customers about the breach, and 26% spoke directly to the media. Of those, nearly 40% of companies said that they suffered a blow to their reputation as a result of the attack. The attacks ability to totally disrupt work and lead to loss of wages had led to increased awareness of DDoS attacks, as well as urging of companies to consider DDoS protection as part of their IT security procedures. Kaspersky lab has warned that protecting against these attacks is as crucial as blocking malware, data leaks and any other security breaches. Kaspersky Lab provides access to its clients’ online resources during complex attacks and works to prevent infrastructure and services from being overloaded. To learn more about the harmful potential of DDoS attacks and other cyber security issues contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Social media is a huge part of business today – marketing and promotion through online accounts are major factors in acquiring new business. There’s a lot you can do to increase your followers, tweets and replies to make your social media presence greater. Following these 5 tips will help you out. Make Your Pinned Tweet a Feature Box By using two twitter features, a lead generation card and a pinned tweet, you can create a Feature Box – an email form at the top of your page which offers visitors a freebie in exchange for joining your email list. Just create a Lead Generation Card including an incentive, and offer regular email updates and a special offer. Pin that tweet to the top of your page so it’s always the first thing new visitors see. Less Communication, More Links A recent study of around 130,000 random Twitter users showed that highly followed accounts tend to converse less. This doesn’t mean conversation drives people away, but it isn’t what’s attracting them to your account either. Instead, tweeting relevant links will help attract more eyes to your account – and get them following you. Don’t Worry about Shortening URLs You used to have to rely on link shorteners to save extra characters when you’d tweet – now, no matter what the size, Twitter counts any link as exactly 22 characters. Twitter also uses its own service to check URLs for malware and viruses. Using additional link shortening tools now results in several redirects and increased time for page loading. Turn to Influential Tweeters Any retweet you receive is great, but when someone with influence or a highly-viewed account retweets you, your views will increase tenfold. If one influencer shares a piece of your content, it will get nearly 40% more social shares, according to a study by BuzzSumo. Networking and developing relationships will help raise awareness of your account and content. Take Advantage of the Recommended Feature Many users are unaware of Twitter’s recommended feature. If someone who doesn’t follow your account tweets an article from your blog or website, the window will recommend that they follow you on Twitter. Make sure you input the right Twitter handle into the recommended box in your tweet buttons setting. For more tips on how to maximize your social media presence and help your business thrive, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

The nation’s second-biggest health insurance company, Anthem Inc., has suffered a breach leading to as many as 80 million customers having their account information stolen. The company released a statement saying that they were the target of a “very sophisticated external cyber-attack”. The information acquired by hackers includes names, birthdays, medical IDs, Social Security numbers, street addresses, e-mails, and employment information – virtually everything. With tens of millions of people impacted, this could stand as the largest health care breach in history. Anthem has stated that no health care information was taken – the other personal information is a lot more useful to criminals than one’s medical history and according to the company, both current and former clients were affected by the hack. Since no medical information appears to have been stolen, the breach doesn’t fall under HIPAA rules – the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – which is in place to govern the confidentiality and security of medical information. The breach was discovered by Anthem last week, and they’ve since set up a website where members can obtain information about the breach (www.anthemfacts.com). Anthem was lucky to have gotten ahead of the attack, discovering it themselves rather than having to let victims find out from a third party. Currently the FBI has been notified and is looking into the matter. Speed is essential when it comes to cyberattacks, as online criminals can quickly destroy crucial evidence before it’s able to be used against them. Any customers who had information stolen are urged to report any suspected instances of identity theft to the FBI’s Internet Crime Compliant Center. To learn more about the latest threats and how to keep your information secure, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Last week Microsoft announced the release of their new Outlook app for iPhone and iPad – free of cost. The app can be used to access your iCloud, Microsoft Exchange, Office 365, and Outlook.com accounts, in addition to Yahoo Mail and Gmail. It’s an especially great way to integrate all of your accounts into one app, particularly for corporate users. Outlook provides an integrated interface for calendars, contacts, attachments and email. Outlook, as part of a new feature, will automatically “surface” your most important email messages. Messages can also be deleted, archived or scheduled with easy swipe gestures. A list of features is detailed in the App Store and includes: Easy Manageability: Schedule emails so they return to your inbox at a more convenient time Allow Outlook to automatically triage your inbox; keep only your most important messages, while less crucial mail is sorted into an “Other” inbox Attach large files from your email, Dropbox, or OneDrive with total ease Built-In Calendar: Outlook app integrates your calendar with email and notifies you with reminders of appointments or meetings Use your calendar to determine available meeting times and share them with co-workers or simply schedule a meeting Filter Your Inbox without a Hassle Filter your inbox, easily sorting through messages to show only mail that is unread, flagged, or with attachments Search messages, contacts and files quickly by typing only a few letters View the contacts you communicate with most, and view all related files, meetings, or emails sent and received Business communication has never been easier than it is today – with Outlook on your mobile device you can access files, emails, contacts, and any data you need from any location. For more on how the free Outlook app can help your business, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.