As a small business owner, you know that having reliable IT support can be critical for the successful operation of your business. Unfortunately, between cost and time considerations, you may feel it’s not the right time to hire an in-house IT team or continue tasking the task yourself. Luckily, there is another option – outsourcing your IT support to a dedicated service provider. Here are some of the advantages of outsourcing managed IT services for small businesses.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Small Business IT Services
Services from Expert Managed IT Services
Be honest for a moment; how knowledgeable and comfortable are you with the intricacies of small business IT services? Maybe you can back up your computer, but do you know how to set up encrypted email programs, perform dark web monitoring, or understand how to perform DNS filtering? If any of those words went above your head, there is nothing to be ashamed of.
Like with every industry sector, there are people who do this day in and day out. They are the people who should be providing your small business with IT support rather than the nephew who is savvy with computers. By outsourcing IT support, you have access to industry experts who have obtained extensive experience in the field, pursue ongoing education, and are well-versed in every aspect of managed IT services you need to be performed. You can rest assured that you have up-to-date solutions which are tailored specifically to meet your specific business needs.
Access to the Latest IT Support Technology
We live in a digital age that is constantly innovating and building stronger support systems. As a small business, your team is unlikely to have access to the latest technology or know how to use it without any prior training. Rather than attempting to learn how to process these highly technical IT programs, update to new technology as it is released, and do it all right on the first try, you can rely on your outsourced IT team to do it for you.
Minimization of Extra Costs
Outsourcing IT services can offer significant cost savings over hiring internal staff or purchasing the latest technology solutions. Due to the fact that an outsourced IT provider has multiple clients, they have the scale to provide their services and related materials at a lower cost than a single organization operating alone. They have every program, and the skills to use them, to ensure your business’s IT services are managed appropriately.
Higher Security & Compliance
IT security is essential for any business, but implementing and maintaining complex network security measures can be difficult for those with limited technical knowledge. An outsourced provider can conduct regular security audits and update security software as needed so that your system remains secure. They are also able to detect external threats more quickly since they monitor all clients’ systems on a continuous basis.
In addition, many small businesses must meet specific IT requirements to stay within compliance with their industry. Even if you are an expert in your field, the technical security aspects of compliance may go far beyond your knowledge, but that is something you can never skimp out on. Small business IT services are well versed in keeping your organization within compliance regulations, even as they continue to evolve.
Increased Business Efficiency through IT Support
As every small business owner knows, time is money! When it comes to small business, many solo entrepreneurs or small teams where many hats – research, development, accounting, marketing, communication, and more. Outsourcing IT provides the benefit of having trained professionals take care of complex tasks quickly and effectively without needing technical resources from within your organization – freeing up valuable time for those other crucial tasks that cannot be handled by someone else.
Packages Designed for Your Business Needs
As a small business, your organization will go through chapters of development as it continues to grow. At this point, you may be a small team that needs the above benefits to free up time and resources. In the future, however, you may need more. When organizations outsource processes, they open themselves up to opportunities that expand beyond their existing resources, especially regarding agility and scalability in changing customer demands or industry regulations. When you outsource your IT support, you can relax knowing that they will grow with you, adapting to new needs, and providing consistent support as your business achieves new heights.
IT Haven – Your Partner for IT Solutions
If you are ready to enhance your small business, gain access to the brightest minds and latest technologies, and ensure your organization is protected, you need outsourced managed IT services. At IT Haven in Tri-Cities, WA, we offer security management solutions to ensure that the security of our client’s systems and data is a top priority. We deliver the technical expertise that small businesses need at a far lower expense than hiring an IT staff and without all the wasted hours of trying to do it solo.
At IT Haven, we offer a wide range of IT support services, including anti-virus/anti-malware technology, DNS filtering, email spam filtering, encrypted email, backup and recovery, remote monitoring management, dark web management, HIPAA compliance, and password management.
For a free consultation on how we can elevate your business and to request an estimate, all you have to do is choose a meeting date and time!
IT Haven Acquires Computer Troubleshooters of Pittsburgh Franchise
IT Haven has acquired Computer Troubleshooters in response to the owner retiring and to ensure that IT Haven leverages the extensive and expert knowledge of Computer Troubleshooters employees
Richland, WA — IT Haven has acquired Computer Troubleshooters in Pittsburgh, PA after their owner retired, and so IT Haven is able to leverage the two decades of collective experience and knowledge of their employees that will benefit IT Haven clients with unparalleled data management and security.
As a result of this important acquisition, IT Haven will be able to utilize the vast career knowledge of the employees at Computer Troubleshooters. This will ensure that IT Haven clients continue to receive exceptional quality specialized solutions.
IT Haven is renowned in the technology industry for protecting privacy and data for a diverse set of businesses. For example, they provide continuity for companies that includes device backup, cloud suite backup, and workstation backup. IT Haven also offers secure file sharing solutions.
IT Haven also has the expertise and skills to protect data and files for more complicated businesses in the construction and healthcare industries.
For example, for businesses in the construction industry, IT Haven offers customized technical solutions to provide easy access to all of a company’s files, across all devices, without needing an internet connection.
IT Haven is able to ensure that their construction clients’ data is protected from malicious or inadvertent actions, reducing business risk by putting complex tasks in the hands of experts.
IT Haven has implemented technical solutions that greatly improve the workflow and productivity for these construction companies.
For businesses in the healthcare industry, IT Haven’s first-rate solutions are designed to keep clients’ health-related information as confidential as possible. Even though HIPPA may seem complicated, IT Haven has the perfect solution. Their offering gives healthcare companies an all-in-one web-based platform to address their HIPPA compliance with the assistance of an expert Compliance Coach to guide the client every step of the way.
IT Haven is committed to having patient data properly backed up and protected, so medical practitioners can focus on patient care.
IT Haven Services
Among the world-class services that IT Haven provides for its customers are the following:
Premium EDR Services – These EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) services provide companies with the upmost security and ensures they are optimally protected. The main objective of endpoint detection and response is to integrate multiple layers of threat prevention, detection, and response into a single solution.
Security Management Solutions – These solutions keep IT Haven’s clients’ systems and data secure, and they are tailored to fit the unique needs of each individual client. From IT Haven’s hardware to the services they use and implement, they provide an extensive solution that has been strategically engineered to keep their clients’ data secure.In addition, IT Haven keeps up to date with the current threats that are circulating and reviews their solutions in order to maintain the highest level of security for their customers.
Full-Suite Outsourced IT – IT Haven delivers end-to-end full-service IT support to businesses, so they never have to worry about IT issues again.
SASE – SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a client’s cloud network. It is wrapped up with high-security protocols to ensure a fast, safe cloud network.
VoIP – IT Haven offers customized phone solutions for business needs with exceptional support and fair pricing.
vCIO Consulting – IT Haven meets regularly with their clients to assess and plan in order to help them grow.
About IT Haven
At IT Haven, we offer specialized solutions, built for each individual company suited for their specific industry. For the industries that require mandated security to maintain their credentials or licensing, such as the healthcare and financial industries, we at IT Haven are knowledgeable and able to implement these requirements.
We take pride in being an important asset to all the companies which we manage by resolving their day-to-day issues, keeping their data safe and secure, increasing productivity, and helping them grow to their highest potential.
Microsoft Teams has fast become one of THE most useful business tools for the way we work today.
No matter where your people work from, they can communicate and collaborate quickly and reliably.
But this remote way of working can also open the door to some MAJOR security issues.
New research shows that nearly HALF of employees frequently share confidential and sensitive files via Teams.
That can be a big problem if employees are using personal equipment rather than company issued kit… it’s simply not as secure as work devices.
More than half of people surveyed say they’ve shared ‘business critical’ information using personal devices. Worse still, 48% admitted they’ve accidentally sent files they shouldn’t have – possibly to the wrong person!
So how can you be sure that your people are using Teams in the safest, most secure way?
The solution lies with regular training and cyber security awareness for employees at all levels of your business – from trainee to CEO.
And you need to make sure you have all the right safeguards in place to protect your sensitive business data. Because if it fell into the wrong hands, the results could be an expensive nightmare, potentially with legal consequences. Just imagine if sensitive employee information got shared outside of the business…
Remember, even a trusted app like Teams is only as safe as the people who use it and the devices it’s installed on.
If you need help with cyber security training, or putting the right protections in place, get in touch.
None of your Team would Fall for this Trick… Would They?
Cyber criminals have a reputation for constantly coming up with new ways to scam us into handing over login details or sensitive data.
And while you might think your team would spot an attempted attack, you could be surprised. We’ve seen a lot of intelligent people – including many business leaders – caught out over the years.
One of the latest scams is very retro… and that seems to be why people are falling for it.
Cyber criminals have gone back to basics. They’re sending USB drives in the post.
The packaging and branding on the drives suggests they’re from Microsoft (they are not).
The story is there’s an updated version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus on the drive and it needs to be installed straightaway.
Of course, this is a complete lie. Microsoft has confirmed that these packages aren’t genuine. It’s warning people it would never send out unsolicited packages.
If you plug the drive into your computer, it will detect a “virus” and ask you to call a support line.
The scammers at the other end will pretend to remove the virus, gaining your trust. And then they’ll ask for payment details to help complete your subscription setup.
It’s old fashioned, but we can see how the mixture of the physical USB, the belief it’s from Microsoft and the fake support line would be compelling for someone who’s busy and just wants to get back to work.
We’re expecting elaborate, clever attacks through our email. Our guard is down with this mix of events.
Play it safe and warn everyone in your business about this scam.
This is also a good time to review the software and staff training you use to protect your business.
At IT Haven, we offer specialized solutions, built for each individual Company suited for their specific Industry. For the Industries which require mandated Security to maintain their credentials or licensing, such as the Healthcare and Financial Industries, we at IT Haven are knowledgeable and able to implement these requirements.
We take pride in being an important asset to all the Companies which we manage by resolving their day-to-day issues, keeping their data safe and secure, increasing productivity and helping them grow to their highest potential.
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) and managed detection and response (MDR) are each solutions designed to assist in improving an organization’s security posture through the use of advanced security technologies. However, EDR and MDR have distinct core focuses and solve security challenges in different ways.
What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?
EDR solutions are designed to provide next-generation corporate endpoint security. The main objective of endpoint detection and response is to integrate multiple layers of threat prevention, detection, and response into a single solution.
EDR is the baseline monitoring and threat detection tool for endpoints and the foundation for every cybersecurity strategy. This solution relies on software agents or sensors installed on endpoints to capture data, which it sends to a centralized repository for analysis.
EDR solutions operate by leveraging increased visibility into an endpoint to more effectively detect possible threats.
Key capabilities of an EDR solution include the following:
Log Aggregation: Endpoint detection and response solutions have access to the various system and application logs that are produced by an endpoint. They collect and aggregate the data from these sources to create a more complete picture of the existing state of the endpoint.
Analyst Support: EDR solutions collect a substantial amount of data having to do with an endpoint’s status and aggregate and analyze the data to pull out insights. Access to these data and insights can be provided to analysts to enhance incident response and digital forensics activities.
Endpoint Protection: Endpoints are increasingly an organization’s first line of defense against cyber threats as companies adopt remote work and bring your own device (BYOD) policies. Endpoint detection and response solutions offer threat detection and response capabilities for these endpoints.
Machine Learning: EDR solutions have integrated machine learning capabilities that analyze the data collected from log files and other sources. The data analysis allows the system to identify irregularities and trends that could indicate potential intrusions or other issues with the endpoint.
In essence, endpoint detection and response is a more comprehensive and effective method for protecting an endpoint from cyber threats.
What is Manage Detection and Response (MDR)?
MDR is a security as a service offering. The main objective of MDR is to allow an organization to replace or expand its in-house security operations center (SOC) with a third-party service. An MDR solution offers all of the tools, personnel, and expertise that an organization needs to protect itself from cyber threats.
Some of the primary benefits of an MDR service include the following:
Managed Response: Rapid and correct incident response is important to lessening the scope and impact of a cybersecurity incident. MDR providers have trained incident response teams on-staff, allowing them to quickly respond to security incidents with teams that possess the required knowledge and expertise to manage them competently.
Threat Hunting: Proactive threat hunting activities enable an organization to find previously unknown intrusions within their IT infrastructure. Threat hunting is a core component of an MDR provider’s services, allowing them to provide better protection than just reactive security.
24/7/365 Monitoring: Cyberattacks can take place at any time, which makes round-the-cloud security monitoring vital. MDR providers will continuously monitor an organization’s environment for security issues, triage alerts, and determine if an alert indicates an actual security threat.
Specialized Expertise: The cybersecurity industry is experiencing a significant skill shortage that makes it challenging to attract and keep essential security expertise. The results of this shortage are even more obvious for certain specialties within cybersecurity like cloud security and malware analysis. An MDR provider has the scale necessary to attract and retain these skilled professionals, making sure that they are available to customers as needed.
In essence, MDR offers companies everything they require to protect them against the ever-changing cyber threat landscape.
The Differences Between Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) & Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
Endpoint detection and response and managed detection and response are both made to help an organization utilize state-of-the-art security solutions to increase its protection against cyber threats.
MDR can leverage EDR’s technologies as a method to enhance its threat detection, analysis, and response capabilities. The majority of MDR providers utilize EDR functionality to achieve optimal visibility across the entire environment, so that threats and breaches can be identified quickly and responded to appropriately.
EDR is a tool that is deployed to protect a specific endpoint, while MDR is a service that offers security monitoring and management across an organization’s whole IT environment.
An MDR provider may include EDR solutions as part of its toolkit. It is important to keep in mind that MDR versus EDR is not necessarily an “either-or” option. Companies should implement the best available solutions for all their security difficulties, which will typically mean both EDR and MDR.
IT Haven Pro Offers Premium EDR Services for Businesses & Corporations
IT Haven as an MSP (Managed Service Provider) offers individualized IT solutions for each client on an outsourced basis for small and medium-sized businesses. We deliver the technical expertise that small businesses need at a much lower cost than hiring IT staff. We recommend, install, and manage technology according to our client’s objectives and core competencies while ensuring that critical data is safe.
Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help your business.
Endpoint Detection and Response, or EDR, is an endpoint security solution that continuously monitors end-user devices to detect and respond to cyber threats such as ransomware and malware.
Endpoint Detection Response is defined as a solution that “records and stores endpoint-system-level behaviors, uses various data analytics techniques to detect suspicious system behavior, provides contextual information, blocks malicious activity, and provides remediation suggestions to restore affected systems.”
How EDR Works
Endpoint Detection Response security solutions record the activities and events that take place on endpoints and all workloads, while it provides security teams with the visibility they require to uncover incidents that would otherwise remain non-detectable. An Endpoint Detection Response solution must provide continuous and comprehensive visibility into what is taking place on endpoints in real time.
An Endpoint Detection Response tool can offer advanced threat detection, investigation and response capabilities, including incident data search and investigation alert triage, suspicious activity validation, threat hunting, and malicious activity detection and containment.
Endpoint Detection Response is considered the next generation Endpoint Protection because it uses a modern, sophisticated, and data-centered approach to preemptively detect malicious activity and respond to threats before endpoint compromise occurs. It can also be configured to automatically remediate a host if it is compromised.
You might be wondering what the difference is between Endpoint Detection Response and Endpoint Protection, or AV. In essence, Endpoint Protection finds evidence of compromise (anti-virus) and Endpoint Detection Response detects malicious behavior that could result in compromise.
EDR uses multiple monitoring points to detect attempts to compromise the system. EDR scans memory, running processes, network activity, and common attack rule sets to preemptively stop threats before they can change files or exfiltrate data.
Traditional endpoint protection is a requirement for many organizations and an EDR solution complements it for the best possible endpoint coverage.
EDR is designed to be integrated with other products in the environment. Whether it is shipping log files to a SIEM or exposing an API for customized response, it is intended to be highly configurable and tunable.
Why EDR is Important for Your Business
We live in an era that, if given enough motivation, resources, and time, adversaries will at some point devise a way to penetrate your defenses, no matter how advanced they are. Here are just some of the main reasons why Endpoint Detection Response should be included in your endpoint security strategy and managed IT services.
Adversaries Can be Inside Your Network for Long Periods of Time and Return at Will
As a result of silent failure, attackers can roam around in your environment, often creating back doors that enable them to return whenever they want to. In the majority of instances, an organization or business discovers the breach from a third party, like its own customers or suppliers, or from law enforcement.
Access to Actionable Intelligence is Required to Respond to an Incident
Your business may not only lack the visibility required to understand what is happening on its endpoints, it may not be equipped to record what is relevant to security, store it and then recall the information quickly enough when needed.
Securing the Data is Just Part of the Solution
Even when you have accessed the data, security teams need the resources that are necessary to analyze and take full advantage of it. It is for this reason that many security teams discover that soon after they have deployed an event collection product, like SIEM, they are usually encountering a complex data issue.
Challenges exist around what to look for, speed, and scalability begin to emerge and other problems surface before their primary objectives can even be addressed.
If prevention fails, your business could be left in the dark by its existing endpoint security solution. Adversaries can leverage this situation to roam and navigate inside your network.
Your Business Lacks the Visibility Required to Effectively Monitor Endpoints
After you have identified a breach, your business could spend many months attempting to remediate the incident because it doesn’t have sufficient visibility to see and understand what actually happened, in addition to how it happened, and how to fix it. Meanwhile, the infiltrator returns within a matter of days.
Remediation Can be Lengthy and Costly
Your business could spend weeks attempting to determine what actions to take. Typically, the only choice is to reimage machines, and that can disrupt business processes, lessen productivity, and finally cause major financial loss.
IT Haven Pro Offers Premium EDR Services for Businesses & Corporations
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