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Ubiquiti Installers & Support

Ubiquiti Installer & Support

Guides /

A poor Wi-Fi connection and slow network has become a problem for many businesses. If your business is experiencing this or you are looking to upgrade or setup a new network, a Ubiquiti UniFi network can help solve the problem. Nowadays, our networks tend to depend a lot on Wi-Fi connections and gigabit connections. It is more convenient as it provides faster speed than most mobile networks. But when it is slow, it can get on your nerves. But with a Ubiquiti network, this won’t be a problem. This is why your home or business needs Ubiquiti UniFi hardware installed. And our Ubiquiti installers are here to offer you our services and support. What Is Ubiquiti? Ubiquiti Inc is an American tech company based in New York. It was founded in 2003 in San Jose, California. Ubiquiti is a specialist in wireless connections and networking products for multiple different environments, from home to small and medium business and enterprise. Whether it is your home or office building, you will find Ubiquiti services in many of them. Their initial product was the mini PCI radio card and other wireless products. They have since expanded to many other product lines. Some of them include EdgeMax, UniFi, airMAX, etc. We will discuss this further below. What is UniFi? UniFi is a product line from Ubiquiti that focuses on networking tools. They have several product ranges and models, including switches, wireless access points, routers, security cameras, etc. UniFi is one of the most common systems found in many homes and offices. This is because they are reasonably priced. It offers a middle ground where people can still afford good quality networking tools from a renowned manufacturer. UniFi wireless networks have a pretty long range. From an apartment building to a thousand-seater stadium, their range is quite vast. Moreover, you can choose the devices that you need to build your UniFi connection. It doesn’t mean you can have a connection only when you are utilizing Unifi products. For instance, UniFi’s access points are enough to get you up and running. Of course, having all the pieces will benefit your greatly. But you can make do with a starter pack. UniFi OS Consoles We cannot talk about UniFi without including UniFi OS consoles. It is the software that runs the operating system for all UniFi devices. Examples of UniFi OS consoles are the Cloud Keys, Dream Machine Pro, etc. UniFi consoles are helpful if you don’t want to use a self-hosted controller. These consoles include the Cloud Keys. We can still find the first generation of Cloud Keys on the market. But for better accessibility, our Ubiquiti installers recommend the second generation. The first generation of Cloud Keys faced several issues, like database corruption if there was a sudden power outage. This issue is resolved in the second-generation Cloud Keys. They have an inbuilt battery that shuts down smoothly when there is no power. It also has a hard drive with storage of 1 TB, expandable up to 5 TB. We can integrate this with UniFi Protect. This feature is helpful for cameras. Other consoles include: Dream Machine Dream Machine Pro Dream Machine SE Dream Router We always recommend using UniFi OS consoles to run your Unifi hardware. They are designed to optimize memory and CPU usage. At the same time, these consoles are fully secure and help tighten your privacy. UniFi Switches UniFi switches come in layer 2 and layer 3 models with gigabit ethernet and 10 gigabit ethernet models too. There is also PoE availability that allow us to build scalable networks. They perform really well and are pretty cheap and sturdily built. You can get UniFi switches with different Ethernet ports. This includes 8, 16, 24, and 48 PoE and non PoE ports. You can also use a UniFi controller software to configure the PoE at a passive 24V. UniFi switches are an update to the much older EdgeSwitches. However, UniFi switches lack some of the advanced features we find on EdgeSwitches. UniFi switches also operate at layer 2 and some at layer 3. This means the layer 2 switches cannot be used as a router, but they can handle VLANs effectively. The first generation of UniFi switches are quite old. But they are still robust layer 2 switches. There are plenty of models, which include 8-port models to the US-48-500W, which can be rack mounted by a Ubiquiti installer. Here are some of the more popular first-generation models: Switch 8 Switch 16 PoE Switch 24 Switch 24 PoE Switch 48 Switch 48 PoE Switch XG 16 Other than that, they have the second-generation models. These models are far better than the first-generation models. They are more compact and lightweight with lower fan noise. The second-generation models also come with a touchscreen display. This screen displays information like the network, stats, etc. And they lack a console port, so you have to manage them over Ethernet in-band. Some of the more popular second-generation models include: Switch Flex Mini Switch Flex Switch Lite 8 PoE Switch Lite 16 PoE Switch 48 PoE Switch Industrial Furthermore, these models begin with the name “USW.” For instance, the USW-16-PoE. The first generation begins with the name “US,” like the US-8. UniFi Routers There are two different generations of UniFi Routers and a few models to choose from. UniFi networks are modular. So you can add and remove hardware accordingly. A UniFi router is not entirely necessary to run an UniFi network. But having a full UniFi stack has many benefits. UniFi routers offer standard routing, a Virtual Private Network, etc. But more complicated networking setups can be a problem for a UniFi router. Here is a list of UniFi routers. UniFi Security Gateway UniFi Security Gateway XG 8 UniFi Dream Router UniFi Dream Machine UniFi Dream Wall Cloud Key Gen 2 UniFi Next-Generation Gateway Pro UniFi Wireless Access Points There are several access points to choose from. UniFi offers up to 6 models. But the essential

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Common MacBook Repairs

6 Common MacBook Repairs

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The fascination with MacBooks among students and people all around the world is not without cause. Apple launched its first MacBook in 2006 and it has been quite the ride ever since. With each MacBook enhanced and better than the last, the competition has increased between Macs and the Windows PC. But why are Macs and Apple so popular? While the pleasing design of the Mac undoubtedly plays a significant role in attracting its customers, they bring a whole different game to the world of laptops and make people’s lives easier. Compared to their competition, the brilliant user interface, increased security, and various high-quality aspects like typing experience, video, audio, etc., put the icing on the cake. The Mac’s durability is unmatched, but when things go wrong they can sometimes be difficult to repair. We’ve listed some of the most common MacBook repairs and how you can quickly go about them. Let’s get started! MacBook Repair For Cover Screen Replacement If your MacBook’s screen suddenly stops working, do not panic. The LED screens on the Mac are not made to last forever, as with all devices, so there are a variety of ways they can get damaged. So many things could go wrong, like dropping it from a questionable height and resulting in a cracked screen. You might find yourself with a faulty screen due to years of usage (yes, like all laptops), or your butterfingers got the best of you and dropped some water on it. There are also some infamous connectivity issues between the circuit board and your screen. These are just some of the various ways you can damage your MacBook screen and may need professional help. We’re here to tell you that it can be fixed and cover screen replacement on a MacBook is one of the most common issues Mac owners share. While it is financially better for some people to buy a newer one, replacing screens is preferable for many. Hence, professionals work on cover screen replacement using various high-end tools plus a lot of work experience dealing with the issue. So make sure to take it to a legit repair store instead of trying to fix it on your own. You can get it repaired or replaced by reaching out to your nearest computer store that handles MacBooks, or type in “nearest Apple repair store” on the Google search box and get in touch with technicians of Apple near you. Macbook Keyboard Replacement The keys on the keyboard of a MacBook can either get damaged by years of usage, resulting in overheating issues or by various contaminants like accidental spillage of water, dust collection, etc. Not only are contaminants the primary villains of this problem, but you might also have a hand in this. While keyboards on the MacBook are not as delicate, the issue can be caused by placing a lot of pressure against the keys. In some cases, a single key may need to be repaired, while in others, the entire keyboard may need to be replaced. Luckily, you can replace the keyboard instead of buying a new MacBook. You can also take the route of buying a USB keyboard instead of replacing the original MacBook keyboard, which will definitely cost you less. But taking it everywhere with you can be troublesome and replacement is the key if you like to travel light! Also, there are many DIY fixes you can do with a simple search on google of “how to fix MacBook Keyboard.” The results are more often than not helpful, and they are often related to software issues. However, if all fails, you can easily replace your keyboard without breaking the bank. The cost of performing a keyboard replacement will vary according to the store, but make sure you’re going to the right technicians. An Apple professional will take extreme care and work with on your MacBook repair. MacBook RAM Replacement/Upgrade Ram replacement and upgrades are a common problem among old MacBook users, regardless of model and all other laptops. Various issues with MacBooks in the past have been due to faulty RAM, and a replacement may become necessary for the end user. If you’re starting to see your MacBook become slower by the day, it may be time to upgrade the RAM on it. Not only this, but if you’ve come across your Mac with a blue screen when switching it on or ending up with a dark black screen even though your fan is running or the LED lights seem to be turned on, it might be because of your RAM. These are just some of the primary issues faced when dealing with faulty RAM, among various problems that affect the functionality of your Mac. Since RAM is a vital component in running laptops, replacing it is easier than you think in some models. Generally, MacBooks are pre-installed with 2 or more Ram sticks, and you can upgrade to more or larger sizes. Hence, it is possible to get out of this sticky situation yourself by finding out which of the RAM sticks is faulty and removing it. If it is not severe, there are many ways you can fix it, including simply taking it out and putting it back might fix your issue. However, if you’ve tried everything but the problem continues, you should get it replaced. Replacing or upgrading the Ram on your MacBook can be done quickly at most Apple, PC, or MacBook repair stores. MacBook Hard Drive Replacement Or Upgrade While the newer models of MacBook powered by the M1 and M2 chip come with a newly launched SSD, the older versions still run with an HDD, and having issues with it and or needing to  replace or upgrade the hard drive is a pretty common issue. Considering the HDD does a lot of work in preserving and writing your data, problems eventually come about over the years. A faulty hard drive can lead to a series of problems that can be

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Microsoft 365 Security

Best Practices For Microsoft 365 Security

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Microsoft 365 security practices are often overlooked when managing an organization. In this guide we will look over and recommend several Microsoft security recommendations and how to implement them. What is Microsoft 365? Microsoft 365 is a productivity suite for home, business, and enterprise users. It comes highly recommended by countless businesses and is s also one of the most popular software suites in the world, with an active user base of more than 340 million users. Microsoft 365 has evolved over the years and securing your organization’s tenant can be daunting. Here are some Microsoft 365 security practices we recommend implementing. Use Multi-factor Authentication Protocols The most critical security factor for any software or application is the password. Despite its importance, most people tend to choose weak passwords that are easy to remember. While this is quite convenient for you, the user, it is very inconvenient for your computer’s security. Easy passwords can be uncovered by hackers or cyber criminals who are always trying to steal your data. What’s more, some people even use the same password over and over again for multiple devices, software, and websites. In that case, a hacker would simply have to figure out the universal password to gain access to all your devices. Seeing how easy it is to steal and misuse passwords, it would be a good idea to set up an extra layer of security for all your sign-ins. Luckily for you, you can use multi-factor authentication or MFA to increase your Microsoft 365 security. How Does Multi-factor Authentication Work? If you’re a Windows user, chances are you use the same password for everything. That’s because most of us don’t want to create and memorize multiple passwords when we can just use one. And most importantly, most people don’t even know how to add security layers without simply using a secondary password. MFA adds an extra step during sign-up procedures, requiring you to use your primary password and then a secondary verification method. Rather than using an additional password that you can memorize, the process takes a more instinctive path. There are two ways to go about this. Typically, MFA sends a verification code to your smartphone via SMS, which you must confirm by typing it into your computer. This code changes with each sign-in and never repeats itself, no matter how many tries. You On the other hand, you can also use a more secure method and verify using an authenticator app on your phone from Microsoft, Google, or Duo to name a few. How Does Multi-factor Authentication Help? Multi-factor authentication is extremely beneficial to those users who have a habit of keeping weak passwords. That’s because the process makes you use both your password and an extra verification method. Suppose a hacker has gained access to your password and is now planning to use it to log into all your accounts. In this scenario, the hacker might get through the first sign-up stage but won’t get through the second. That’s because the MFA protocol automatically sends a sign-up prompt to your phone that the hacker will not have access to. Since the hacker doesn’t have access to your phone or your fingerprints, he won’t be able to get far. So, by removing dependency on a single test, the MFA protocol boosts security and ensures that only you can sign into your accounts. Safeguard Your Admin Account The very first account you create for Microsoft 365 automatically becomes your global administrator account. Being a global admin means having full control of all other accounts and settings. As you can imagine, this is a juicy opportunity for hackers to attack because securing this one account will give them access to everything. It is in your best interest to always safeguard the global admin account. Create Other Accounts The simplest measure to overcome this issue is to create different accounts for your use. After all, you don’t need to use the admin account every day. You can easily do your work via a secondary account instead and only use the admin account to change your settings. Alternatively, you could also create a separate admin account that can function on an emergency basis. If something happens to your original admin account, for example, it got hacked, you can always switch to the secondary admin account. Don’t forget to use MFA on your admin accounts either! Use Preset Security Policies Your Microsoft 365 subscription will typically come with security policies that the software itself has preset. These include useful settings for anti-malware, anti-phishing, and anti-spamg protection. Although 365 has a set of default built-in preferences, we recommend switching it over to something more particular. It’s important to know that security presets are not the same as default settings. They are both different from each other and cannot be used as the same thing. Microsoft 365 typically lets you set a default setting first and then any added preset security policy you desire. What’s Included In Preset Microsoft 365 Security Policies? You can choose several types of preset security policies, each with its own distinct features. The type of profile you select will determine how strict or lenient your security is. Choosing policies will make 365 focus on the theme or subject matter and change its settings to suit the requirements. Some policies include anti-phishing, anti-spam, impersonation protection, spoof settings, etc. Finally, policy settings will determine if you use the setting for a single user, group, or multiple domains. Standard Protection – This is the protection level recommended for most businesses and enterprises. This profile is most suitable for anti-malware, anti-phishing, and other similar settings. Strict Protection – This profile includes everything you can find in standard protection and some added benefits. It uses the same base settings as the previous profile but adds strict measures and a more accurate authentication process. It is the perfect option for businesses that must meet tough security regulations. Most businesses use strict protection to safeguard their valued clients

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Password Managers

Password Managers and Why You Should Be Using One

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Creating passwords is inevitable since we need to create an account with every app and website we access online. All the websites require you to have an account to use their services. Since you create different accounts on different websites, it can take time to remember all of them and it’s impossible for you to access a website without the login credentials. To avoid such situations, you can use the help of password managers. Password managers can be apps, desktop programs, or online vaults. A password manager is important as it helps keep your passwords safe, in an encrypted vault. And it’s not just passwords that are kept safe in password managers; there are some situations where you can store your banking details, documents, and personal IDs. Data stored in these vaults is typically sensitive information that you would not share with anyone. Password managers help to keep the passwords safe in their encrypted vaults where only you can gain access. The only thing you have to remember is the password for your password manager. It is called the master password. If you unlock your password manager with the master password, you can gain access to all the other saved passwords. Each password has military-grade encryption, which is visible only to the user and the people with whom they share different information. The best thing about password managers is that you do not have to memorize all your passwords, like in the old days. The other function of a password manager is to generate secure passwords for its users. Sometimes you create so many accounts on different websites that you need help to come up with a new password. When this happens, you can your password manager’s help and generate a new and strong password. How Do Password Managers Work? Password managers use a military-grade level coding system to store data so only the authorized users can open it. There are various types of password managers that you can use differently. The functioning of a password manager depends on the type you are using. They promise both security and convenience. There is only one requirement to using them – you should remember the one master password to unlock the vault. Password managers work in such a way that they help generate unique passwords for different accounts as well. Though its primary function is to manage and keep your passwords safe, it is also the best way to generate secure passwords for your new accounts quickly and securely. During the early Internet days, it was much easier to remember our passwords because of the limited number of online accounts. However, as time has passed and the use of websites and the Internet has increased, so has our need to remember even more passwords. Password managers are now necessary because of the number of the sheer number of accounts we use daily. It is easy to understand how a password manager works. All you have to do is install the software and enable it on your browser, and every time you create an account or share personal information, the manager extension will ask you for permission to save them. If you want to avoid forgetting your password, just save it in your password manager. Create a master password for the password manager to have access to all the saved passwords. When you sign in to a site, you can use the master password. There is no need for you to try and remember all the other saved passwords. Ensure that you create a long and strong master password so that it remains secure. Many of the password managers will allow you to activate two-factor authentication for even more security. The Zero Knowledge Security Model While companies develop password managers to help secure your passwords and information, some people might be suspicious about the companies’ access to said passwords and information. To ensure your information is safe, they all use a security model called Zero Knowledge. This model ensures the company that developed your password manager does not have access to your passwords. They cannot unlock your password manager and pry on your passwords. There are also significantly fewer chances of getting hacked by cybercriminals as the hacker would have to go through the encrypted user data, the extension’s password, and the security key. These are the three layers of defense against hackers used in a password manager. So even if the company gets hacked, your data will not be compromised. Using a password manager is the best way to ensure your data is protected at all costs. Advanced Encryption Standard Most companies use AES encryption to develop their password manager software. The same encryption is used in other things like firewalls and VPNs. The commonly-used version is the 256-Bit AES, which is a military-grade level coding system that encrypts and decrypts data. It is accessible only to parties that have authorization to the password manager. 256-Bit is the encryption key, a random string of 1s and 0s. There are more than two combinations of this key in most password managers. It gets harder for hackers to intrude into our password managers when there are more 256-Bit key combinations. Some companies also use a less-secure AES 128-Bit, but you can usually find these password managers for free. They do not come with frequent updates, unlike the AES 256-bit password managers. What Are The Different Types Of Password Managers? Password managers help protect your online accounts from getting hacked by generating strong and unique passwords. After you create your passwords, you can save them in the password manager for future use. Once you unlock the password manager using the master password, you don’t need to use other passwords for your other accounts. Different password managers have different features, but their primary job is protecting your passwords. If you are looking to use a password manager, you will need to know the different types to understand which one to choose. There are many factors

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DMARC Process

What is DMARC?

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Have you ever opened an email that looked normal but contained malware inside? You might want to check out DMARC, the email authentication protocol that helps keep your inbox risk-free. We’ve all heard about super hackers gaining access to corporate networks and stealing valuable data. And, of course, we’re all aware of online heists that take place with the help of ransomware. These kinds of tactics have become infamous, and we’ve learned to overcome them. After all, we pay massive amounts for cybersecurity, so the chances of hackers penetrating our systems should be nil. Cyber-attacks are a prominent element in the industry, which is why we’ve learned the tell-tale signs of one. Or at least, that’s what our software is here for. But what if criminals were to use something so simple and seemingly innocent that it slips right past our radars? What if they use a simple, generic-looking email to trick us? Well, that’s where DMARC comes into play. DMARC Explained If we’re talking about full forms, DMARC stands for domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance. Overall, it is an authentication protocol that protects you from spam, spoof, and phishing-related emails. As you can tell by the lengthy name, the first part of the protocol involves domain authentication. This authentication process figures out and confirms where an incoming email came from. The protocol then checks the source’s background and verifies its reliability. The incoming mail is simply rejected if the protocol can’t recognize the source. DMARC is a useful tool that protects your business and employees from email-related attacks. It provides an extra layer of security that can even prevent scams. It works by allowing companies or entities to set their own policy that determines whether or not a certain mail will go through or be ignored by the server if it fails authentication. With DMARC, you can set your own email authentication process. By setting a custom standard of protocols, you can effectively filter out authentic emails from those which are spam or suspicious. What’s more, you can even set a particular course of action that will take place in case the incoming email does not match the standard you have set. For example, you can set the verification process so that only emails from a particular server are allowed into your network. Anything else will automatically be deemed unsafe by the network and thrown in the trash. Well, that’s DMARC in a nutshell. However, if you really want to know the core details of DMARC, how it functions, and its uses, we’ll have to dive much deeper into that. Starting with why we need it in the first place. Why Do We Use DMARC? To understand how using DMARC can benefit you, you must understand how fishing and spoofing work. These are techniques used by scammers looking to dupe you and your company out of thousands and sometimes even millions of dollars. And the worst part is that these scammers target the one aspect that we would rarely suspect. Everyone is familiar with how malware and hacker attacks work. The most dangerous attacks are often made by penetrating your firewall, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to your company’s private network. From there, these hackers can steal important company data and leak that information for a price. All without a single trace. But today, we won’t be talking about complicated hacker attacks requiring massive skill. Instead, we’ll talk about simple, clever methods that even an amateur scammer can use to dupe you out of millions. Unlike hackers, who manipulate a company’s network, spoofing and phishing attacks often work by manipulating you or your employees via a harmless email. That’s why it’s even more shocking when such an attack occurs. The game isn’t about dealing with or bypassing your robust cybersecurity software but rather, tricking human beings into carrying out their dirty work. And nobody played the game better than Nigerian-born scammer Ramon Abbas, a.k.a; Hushpuppi. How Did Hushpuppi Scam Companies? If you work in an international conglomerate or an elite financial institution, you’re probably aware of how much money is exchanged daily. Corporations make massive transactions daily, often transferring and receiving millions in payments. Employees working in such companies typically follow the instructions of official company emails. If the mail tells them to make a certain payment to a certain account, it is the employee’s job to make the transaction. But what if someone figures out a way to impersonate your company and send you an official-looking email filled with fraudulent instructions? You might think you’ll detect its deceitful quality; however, that’s easier said than done. Employees must deal with massive workloads daily, leaving little time to double-check emails. Besides, it’s your natural instinct to trust any email from your company, so long as nothing seems off at first glance, you wouldn’t stop questioning anything before instinctively following the instructions mentioned. What’s more, scammers will use email addresses that look similar to your company’s address, at least at first glance. So being aware of fraud is beyond your capabilities in most cases. Well, that’s what scammers like Hushpuppi would rely on during their spoofing attacks. All it took was one official-looking email, directing an employee to make a hefty transition to a particular account number, and voila, the heist was successful. And the worst part is the victim wouldn’t even realize that he was duped. Could DMARC Have Stopped Hushpuppi Scams? Throughout his entire career, the Nigerian scammer used business emails to dupe companies out of hundreds of millions. All this by using a simple bait and hook spoofing technique that fooled countless gullible employees from various companies. It raises the question, could Hushpuppi have scammed those companies if there was a proper DMARC structure in place? Probably not. Situations like these are precisely what DMARC authentication protocols are for. With DMARC, scammers won’t be facing busy, overworked employees who don’t have the instinct to suspect company mail. Instead, they will be facing a computerized protocol

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Cybersecurity Insurance

Do You Need Cybersecurity Insurance?

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Cybersecurity insurance is an industry that has seen steady growth over the last few years. Studies show that around 50% of all businesses have an active cybersecurity policy, which is a big boost from 2 years ago when that number was 34%. It’s clear to us now that cybersecurity has become a permanent factor in today’s vulnerable market. But although the rise has been steady, plenty of businesses still don’t know what they’re dealing with regarding cybersecurity insurance. Besides, this isn’t something only corporations need, but small businesses too, and there’s a lot to cover in that department. So naturally, the level of awareness regarding this type of insurance is still moderate. It gives rise to some important questions, what exactly is cybersecurity insurance, and do we really need it? What Is Cybersecurity Insurance? Cybersecurity insurance is a type of contract that businesses or entities can purchase to mitigate the financial risk of maintaining an online business. These insurance policies cover cybersecurity threats and function as a repair aid in post-attack scenarios. What this insurance does, is take care of some of the costs involved in case of a cyber-attack. The most basic of these policies will help cover elements like investigation costs or help by bringing in damage control experts. All this comes for a nominal fee the company must pay monthly or quarterly. We live in a digital world where more and more real-life applications are forming their online counterpart, and it’s no different with cybersecurity. It’s like hiring a security team to patrol your office building, except it happens online. Now, imagine there was a security breach in your company, which involved some burglars breaking in and stealing important company information. Such kind of incidents could cost you a lot in the long run. Naturally, as the company owner, you’ll want to investigate who committed the breach and possibly recover your company data. Such an investigation will cost you a massive amount. You’ll have to hire a special investigation team filled with experts who can assess the situation, detect, and fix any weaknesses in your security system, and look for a trail that leads to stolen company property. Doing all of this will add to your data breach cost. The Cost Of Data Breaches Companies incur a lot of expenses because of cybersecurity breaches, with recovery costs often ranging in the millions. And it only gets worse when it comes to cases of ransomware, with recovery expenses stretching even further. Research indicates that the average cost of a cybersecurity breach in 2021 was around $4.24 million in 2021. This year, that figure has spiked up to $4.35 million. That’s 12.7% in two years if we measure statistics from 2020. As cyber-attacks get more and more brazen, it is common for companies to chalk up millions after a breach. Even with the best cybersecurity software guarding your company’s data, there are still chances of breaches. Given the current situation, it’s a wise thing for companies to procure a good cybersecurity insurance plan. Cybersecurity insurance has helped companies reduce the cost of recovery by a significant margin. No longer will you stand alone when dealing with the aftermath of a damaging breach. Now, the insurer will also bear the cost of recovery, which is a sigh of relief for businesses and enterprises. How Does Cybersecurity Insurance Help? The world is filled with hackers looking to steal company data and exploit it for their own benefit. Companies often hold important electronic data which have been paid for or are owned by investors. So naturally, losing such data can result in the company losing the trust of its shareholders. Not to mention, it also results in the loss of customers and hampers the company’s ability to secure future revenue. A good cybersecurity insurance policy can help with the recovery process and reduce some of the negative impacts of data theft. This is especially important in the case of a ransomware attack, from which companies stand to lose tens of millions. That’s why a good cybersecurity insurance policy covers both first-party and third-party losses. First-party coverage helps the company recover from any losses that it suffers directly. Meanwhile, third-party insurance covers any losses suffered by investors, shareholders, and partner companies and takes care of lawsuit expenses. Most insurance policies for cybersecurity cover any cost related to legal assistance, investigation costs, refunds for customers, and overall crisis management. This makes having a cybersecurity insurance policy an absolute must in 2022. A Brief History Of Cybersecurity Insurance Cyber threats became increasingly prominent as businesses started relying on electronic data and cloud-based storage. Companies usually hold sensitive and valuable data, which becomes easy targets for hackers. All this culminated in the rise of cybersecurity and, eventually, cybersecurity insurance. The first cybersecurity insurance examples popped up in the 90s, during the infamous dot-com bubble. Although it hadn’t reached its current form yet, it was still available in a limited capacity. These policies initially covered data processing errors or technical glitches in online media. At this time, there was no coverage for the company itself, and it usually had exemptions for penalties, regulatory errors, or antics from disgruntled employees. Initial Rise As the internet became increasingly complex, new threats started appearing on the horizon. Soon, companies faced data theft, information breaches, unauthorized access from hackers, virus attacks, etc. This made insurers boost their services to include more coverage for such instances during the 2000s. Despite this rise in online security threats, plenty of companies weren’t too quick to jump onto the cybersecurity bandwagon. For some companies, cybersecurity insurance was more of a response to a recent attack rather than an official preventive measure. This initial carelessness led to several breaches, either due to virus-related incidents or employees going rogue. However, some companies still did not maintain reliability in insurance policies. Things got more serious when California passed the Security Breach and Information Act in 2003. According to the law, any business based in California was now

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Outsourced IT Support

Is Outsourced IT Support Right You?

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Outsourced IT support is a growing industry. True to its name, outsourcing is the act of companies using external service providers to help with everything from infrastructure to application services, and business process that surrounds information technology, or IT, as it is commonly known all over. IT outsourcing is a booming business worldwide, and the staggering figures below are just the tip of the iceberg. As of 2019, IT outsourcing revenue generation was $92.5 billion annually. By 2025, the IT outsourcing industry is expected to hit $425.19 billion. Up to 66% of US companies, big and small, outsource IT support. The above statistics about information technology reveal that outsourcing is a vital part of the industry that has revolutionized our world. IT outsourcing providers – what are they? Third-party services that provide technical support from remote locations to onshore and offshore companies are known as IT outsourcing providers. Outsourcing companies are usually referred to as MSPs or managed service providers. Managed service providers are different from local technicians or developers that provide an instant fix to technical problems. Local IT technicians often work on an hourly basis – meaning your company can hire independent or freelancers without having a partnership with them. On the other hand, MSPs have a partnership with companies that use their services. IT outsourcing providers do not just fix broken connections. A managed service provider does everything from installing, supporting, monitoring, and implementing software and programs. MSPs also provide security of network computing and every technical requirement your company needs to do business. Some MSPs are located around the globe from the Americas, to South East Asia, Western Europe and other other continents are also available. Types of IT outsourcing Broadly classified, IT outsourcing is of two types: Co-managed IT outsourcing As the name implies, co-managed IT outsourcing is when you outsource only a part of your company’s requirements. Here, you have a dedicated in-house IT staff responsible for general computing, hardware, and software issues. The outsourced support takes care of the 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring that your in-house team does not have the expertise or the resource to execute. Outsourced experts can also help with an overworked IT department and increase the overall efficiency of your organization. In addition, supplemental or co-managed IT outsourcing can dramatically reduce the cost your company may be required to pump into the department. However, the overall responsibilities of the outsourced help depend on the package offered by the outsourcing services. Co-managed IT outsourcing packages are relatively cheaper than fully outsourced packages. Outsourcing a part of the technical help that can work with an in-house team is a fantastic way to make the best decisions that can transform your business goals. This type of outsourcing is a great choice if you run a large business, but co-managed IT outsourcing can be expensive for smaller organizations. Complete IT outsourcing Complete or full outsourced IT support is when your company does not have an in-house team for your technical and information technology needs. Instead, you outsource the help from a third-party service provider called the MSP. In this case, the managed service provider is responsible for troubleshooting, updates, and backups to monitoring. Networking computing and servers are also managed and stored by MSPs locally or on cloud apps and other off-site data centers. You can also partner with MSPs for special projects, strategic consulting, and vCIO services. Understandably, fully outsourcing IT support will cost more than supplemental or co-managed IT outsourcing. The advantages of complete/full IT outsourcing are many, as you have little to worry about the technical aspects of your business. However, narrowing down on the right MSPs that mirror your organization’s exact needs and goals at the right price can be tricky. Why outsource IT support? Some of the biggest names in business outsource IT, which promptly raises the question – of why. Why is everybody outsourcing information technology support from different parts of the globe? Below are the top reasons why: Cutting costs A primary reason for many companies outsourcing IT support is to cut costs, according to a Deloitte survey. Up to 70% of companies that outsource support for information technology cite the drastic reduction in the overall cost. Outsourcing is dramatically cheaper than having an in-house team because they come from countries with low labor costs. The country rounding the list of the top destination for IT outsourcing are India, followed closely by the United States and China. Other countries that provide IT outsourcing include Malaysia, Brazil, and Indonesia. Flexibility Up to 40% of companies that outsource cite flexibility in running their business. With IT experts working round the clock and providing real-time remote support, every technical issue is taken care of almost instantly. As the company scales in size and revenue, restructuring is inevitable. While the top players in the company are engaged with new and tougher responsibilities, outsourcing support takes care of the old liabilities, so there is no disruption in the workflow. Speed to market Another reason why IT outsourcing is common among companies is speed to market. As much as 20% of companies consider that outsourcing helps them to establish their brand/company’s presence in the industry quickly. Since the competition in any type of business is cutthroat, outsourcing is a fantastic way to generate an idea, develop it, and take it to the market before the competitors. Access to tools More than 15% of companies also rely on outsourcing because it gives instant access to tools and processes. When a team of IT professionals is on hand to provide everything from technical support, security, software development, and technical issues, it is a resource very few businesses will not use. Other reasons why companies turn to outsource IT support include agility and scalability. What is the cost of outsourcing IT support? The average cost of outsourcing IT support generally ranges from $80 to $150 per month. However, the cost of outsourcing IT support depends on several factors, including: The service package pricing type: Per month

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4K Security Cameras. Are They Worth It?

4K Security Cameras – Are They Worth The Money?

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If you’re familiar with cameras, you know there are endless options when looking for a surveillance camera. Each one has different resolutions, fields of view, and installation methods. An average person will find it difficult to understand many terms associated with these devices. With the rise in criminal activity and the need for hard facts, residential and commercial establishments are keeping track of everything by upgrading their security. And you’ll find many of them investing in 4K security cameras nowadays. To understand if these devices are worth your money, you must be familiar with their features and drawbacks. So, let’s review 4K cameras and find out if they’re good enough to boost your security system. What Are 4K Security Cameras And How Do They Work? 4K security cameras are cameras with a horizontal pixel count of around 4,000. They capture video footage in the resolution 3840 x 2160 and have 8,294,400 total pixels. They are equipped with 8 megapixels (MP) and have an aspect ratio of 16:9. Because these cameras have a large number of total pixels, images have minimal chance of getting pixelated even when you zoom in. These cameras also have advanced sensors with low-light sensitivity. The resolution of 4K cameras is 4 times better than HD 1080p cameras. They are also called UHD (Ultra High Definition). By comparison, 1080p cameras have a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The cameras capture light in their field of view and store it as data in your desired storage option, be it local or in the cloud. Types Of 4K Security Cameras Like many others, 4K security cameras are available in many variants. Knowing how each type functions will help you decide which one will fit your security requirements best. Bullet Camera: These 4K cameras are cylindrical and shaped like bullets. They are primarily used for capturing high-resolution footage of a particular outdoor area. But they are also well-suited for long-distance surveillance and can work well when placed in high-traffic areas. They typically have a longer and wider range compared to dome or turret cameras. They are easy to reposition if needed but are not discreet. One of the big downsides of this security camera is that it is pretty easy to be vandalized or manually adjusted by criminals. Expert vandals can easily direct the camera in a different direction. Dome Camera: As it’s name suggests, 4K dome cameras have a dome-like circular structure. They are typically used indoors and can come in vandal-proof or resistant housings. Its field of vision is larger when compared to the bullet camera, but the quality isn’t any less. Dome cameras are also typically more discreet compared to bullet, turret, or PTZ cameras. Cons of dome cameras include repositioning them. Once installed, they don’t have the flexibility of a bullet or PTZ. The domes can also get dirty blocking the view and require cleaning. They are also prone to IR bounce where the illuminator causes the light to bounce back off the dome and into the lens, distorting the view. Turret Camera: 4K dome cameras are typically used indoors. They are smaller and more discreet than a bullet or PTZ, but not as much as a dome. An advantage over domes include their built-in IR. Because there is no dome, you don’t have to worry about IR bounce. They are also easy to mount.The big downside to the turret camera is they can be damaged more easily than a dome since they have no housing to protect to the lens. PTZ Camera: 4K pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are versatile, and you can control them via remote. You can use them to cover an extensive area, zoom in on a particular target, or have it automatically patrol a given area looking for motion. All these processes are achieved without losing image quality. The major downside to these cameras is the high price. They typically start out at two to three times the cost of a dome, turret, or bullet camera. These cameras are also prone to malfunction as they have many moving parts. Best Applications For 4K Security Cameras 4K security cameras provide a new and better solution to documenting videos that HD cameras fail to provide. They serve as a good source of evidence whenever needed. Because they are detail-oriented, these camera systems are a convenient investment for those needing to cover large areas with minimal installation. For instance, store owners of small and medium business can have a couple of 4K cameras on prominent corners and easily acquire a broad view. Identifying facial features and details of vehicles is much easier with a 4K camera. So, places that require excellent security systems, such as large businesses and organizations, will find 4K security cameras well suited to their needs. But an HD camera system will suffice if you only need something for your porch or yard. Specifications Of 4K Security Cameras 4K security cameras can be versatile and convenient for any purpose. Features that make them exceptional include: Night Vision Nights are an active time for lawbreakers, so strong night vision becomes an essential feature. Fortunately, 4K cameras have it sorted out for you. Most of these cameras are equipped with 3D Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR), which significantly reduces infrared-caused noise and static. You are guaranteed crisp and clear video footage no matter the time of day. In addition, most 4K security cameras come with larger image sensors. Regular cameras need a good light source to produce a quality image, but 4K cameras can work well in low light. Just make sure the sensor is large enough as the higher the resolution camera, the larger the sensor size is needed for acceptable night vision. Something like a 1/1.8″ or 1/1.2” would work great. If your security system needs more activity during the nighttime, cameras with 3D DNR will help as well. Magnification Options A 4K security camera can have one or both digital and optical zoom. These add more functionality to the security system. Digital

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Microsoft 365 Migration

Microsoft 365 Migrations

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With more businesses making the shift to remote work, Microsoft 365 has become an increasingly popular business solution. Despite the many benefits of Microsoft 365, migrating to the platform can be a daunting task for IT departments. In this blog post, we’ll outline some of the key reasons why migrating to Microsoft 365 makes sense for businesses, as well as some tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. What is Microsoft 365? You’ve probably heard of Microsoft 365, but you may not be clear on what it is or how it can benefit your business. In short, Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes access to various Microsoft products and services, including Email, Windows 10 & 11 operating systems, and many other features like Enterprise Mobility + Security. There are multiple plans available that can be tailored to fit your businesses’ needs. Key Reasons to Migrate to Microsoft 365 Increased Productivity: One of the biggest benefits of Microsoft 365 is that it can help increase productivity by giving employees access to the latest productivity tools and features. For example, Office apps are continuously updated with new features and capabilities, so employees always have access to the latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Enhanced Security: Another key benefit of Microsoft 365 is enhanced security. With built-in security features like multi-factor authentication and data loss prevention, businesses can rest assured knowing that their data is safe and secure. Reduced IT Costs: Migration to Microsoft 365 can also help reduce IT costs by eliminating the need for on-premises infrastructure. Since all of the applications and data are stored in the cloud, there’s no need for local servers or storage devices. Improved Collaboration: Finally, Microsoft 365 can also improve collaboration by giving employees the ability to easily share documents and work on projects together in real-time using SharePoint Online and Teams. Tips for Migrating to Microsoft 365 Start with a Pilot Group: When migrating to Microsoft 365, it’s important to start with a pilot group first. This will allow you to test out the platform and identify any potential issues before rolling it out company-wide. Update Your Network Infrastructure: Prior to migrating to Microsoft 365, it’s important to update your network infrastructure and prep for deployment. One of many items include ensuring that your routers and switches are up to date and that your DNS settings are configured correctly. Training & Adoption: Once you’ve migrated to Microsoft 365, it’s important to provide training and support so that employees can successfully adopt the platform. There are many resources available from Microsoft, including videos, tutorials, and user guides. We can assist migrating from many different providers and platforms Needing assistance with a Microsoft 365 migration (formerly Office 365)? Pennyrile Technologies can help your business migrate to Microsoft 365 so it can enjoy many of the productivity, collaboration, and communication benefits it provides. We can assist with migrating to Microsoft 365 from multiple different providers and vendors including: Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), Yahoo, AOL, Microsoft Exchange Servers, GoDaddy, Bluehost, and many other web hosting companies. Migrating from your current platform to Microsoft 365 can have a huge impact on a business. All the employees of the organization will be impacted by the migration, so its important to keep downtime to a minimum and keep your employees online and productive. Our experts can help!  We provide free migration assistance with zero downtime or data loss with affordable flat-rate pricing and spam and virus filtering. Conclusion Migrating to Microsoft 365 can be a big undertaking for businesses but there are many benefits that make it worth doing. Some key benefits include increased productivity, enhanced security, reduced IT costs, and improved collaboration. When migrating , be sure to start with a pilot group , update your network infrastructure and prepping for deployment, and provide training & adoption resources. If you’re ready to migrate to Microsoft 365 or need assistance managing your current tenant, contact us for a free evaluation!

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Best Practices for VoIP Deployment

Best Practices for an Effective VoIP Deployment

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If you’re not using VoIP yet, then you’re behind the times. The pandemic taught companies that they need to reach as many operational areas as possible from anywhere. If your building is evacuated, how are you going to answer the landline phone? Having Sarah who is working from home call a customer from her personal number can come back to bite you should she leave the company. Cloud-based phone systems are now becoming the norm for a lot of reasons. But this doesn’t mean they’re always set up right. Have you had trouble with your VoIP service? Does your company directory have only two options because you can’t figure out how to set up more? VoIP also needs to have bandwidth resources, and if it doesn’t, calls can drop in a heartbeat. One bad experience is all a potential customer needs to cause them to lose trust in you. Here are a few best practices to improve your VoIP business phone system. Use Quality of Service settings on your router or firewall What is quality of service? In networking terms, QoS enables organizations to adjust their overall network traffic by prioritizing specific high-performance applications and services. Common high priority traffic includes VoIP, video conferencing, streaming media, internet protocol television (IPTV), and video-on-demand. By setting the quality of service settings on your router to prioritize your VoIP service, you are ensuring that your VoIP traffic is given the highest priority when passing through the router. Have a backup Internet Connection Internet outages happen. By having a backup Internet connection, you can ensure that your VoIP service will fail-over to your backup connection during an outage and you don’t experience any downtime for your phone service. Even if you don’t use VoIP, having a backup Internet connection is recommended these days. It’s likely that most everything (if not everything) your company uses to function and accomplish your work is connected through the Internet. By having a redundant connection, you’ll keep productivity up and costly downtime to a minimum. Give your Team Time and Training to Learn the System This sounds obvious, but many times we expect employees to know all of the ins and outs of new technologies in a short amount of time. By giving them proper training, including hands-on training and how-to materials covering their new phones and auto-attendants, we can help expedite this process. Make sure your VoIP provider will be providing some kind of training before closing any deal. We’ve found hands-on training to be the best and with a little bit of time, most employees will be pros at the new system and love all of the new features. Use a Local Provider for VoIP Use a local provider for your VoIP deployment. This way you can have a local resource to call for support or come on-site for troubleshooting if needed. We like to think you won’t have any issues with your VoIP service, but things happen, and having someone local to rely on can be extremely beneficial. Faster response times and being able to have someone come on-site to troubleshoot issues can be invaluable.   Looking to move to VoIP? Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and see how your business would benefit from moving to VoIP.

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