September 2017 - DNA IT Solutions

Monthly Archives: September 2017

News

Different types of cloud services

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Types of cloud services DNA IT
25
Sep

The many benefits of cloud computing have been discussed in depth and are rarely disputed.

With a lower cost, more flexibility, productivity and layers of security it is the obvious choice for most businesses.  However, there are several types of cloud services and knowing what is available can help you make better decisions on what you need.

The cloud computing stack

The national institute of standards and technology defines cloud computing as a model which enables useful, on-demand network access to a shared configurable resources (networks, storage, servers, services, and applications) which can be quickly implemented and released with minimum effort.  Here we look at the main elements of the cloud computing, often called ‘stack’ as they often build on top of each other to form solutions.

Cloud stack DNA IT

Software as a service (SaaS)

This is the term for software applications that are hosted in the cloud and make available to users over the internet. Usually they are on demand and come with a subscription cost.  Microsoft Office 365 is a perfect example but there are many others.  Cloud providers host and manage the software application which means that they look after upgrades and security issues.

When it comes to cloud we also need to evaluate the different options available be it public, private or hybrid.   Not all options are the same and making the correct decision for a business without advice can be difficult.

Platform as a service (PaaS)

This is a suite of services that are offered to make coding, developing, testing and deploying of applications easier in the cloud.  It is designed to make this process easier and quicker to create without having the concerns around managing infrastructures such as storage, databases or servers.

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

This is the one we may be more familiar with and the main foundations of the cloud.  It is the software and hardware used to create the cloud offering that an organisation will rent.  It will be the servers, storage, operating systems, virtual machines that the cloud provider puts in place so you can avail of cloud on a pay as you go basis.

Public cloud

Public cloud would be the most common option as it has all the benefits and is easily accessible by any business.  Microsoft Azure is an example of a public cloud.  They own and manage the computing resource and offer storage over the internet on a pay as you go basis.

Private cloud

Sometimes an organisation will require dedicated storage space, particularly when it comes to enterprise organisations.  IBM Bluemix offer such a service and will assign a particular area of the network exclusively for their use.

Hybrid cloud

Hybrid Cloud is a mix of cloud and onsite infrastructure.  For a variety of reasons this solution can be the best option when it comes to greater flexibility and deployment within the business.

Whatever options you decide are right for you ensure you are well informed.  A conversation with a cloud expert can reap rewards for the future and the team at DNA IT Solutions are available to take a look at your business and advise you accordingly.

News

Managed IT as a service

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Managed IT Services DNA IT
18
Sep

What are Managed IT services?

If you’re running your own business, unless you are an IT specialist, you just want your systems to work. You need them to be almost invisible, running in the background, and unnoticeable because they just do everything you want them to do, smoothly and without interruption.

And that is what well-managed IT services can bring to your business. You don’t need to worry about backup, security, recovery and storage, or if you will have enough memory to run the software you need. Everything is taken care of for you, while you focus on doing the things you are good at and building your business.

Why use managed IT services?

  • To create a truly high-end IT system for your business, you could pay a lot of money to buy in the systems you need, and one or more full-time salaries for people to manage it. With outside managed IT, from a reputable, high quality IT service provider, you’ll save money on systems, and reduce costs again as you don’t have to pay full-time salaries and benefits, pensions tax and insurance in addition.
  • Managing your own IT takes your focus away from what you actually do as a business. You have to take the time to have meetings about it, to manage the staff who run your IT systems, and that’s all time that you could be using to move your business forward and increase your profits.
  • You are paying for high-end expertise covering a variety of skills, as and when you need them, rather than having to pay many staff salaries to get the same result.
  • With managed IT services, everything is smoothly run and managed, all in one place by one company, rather than you trying to manage many different systems and options and make them all work together.
  • A fully managed service is flexible, and can easily grow and expand as your business does. Need more storage space? With cloud storage, that’s no problem.A great managed IT service gives you complete peace of mind that your system is always being protected and monitored for potential threats, and that your system is fully optimised for success.
     
    DNA IT Solutions can provide a full managed service for all your IT needs, with expert advice and guidance to ensure your system always supports your business and grows as you do.  Why not contact us on 01 6510 300 for an expert consultation?
News

What is malware and ransomware, and how can I protect against it?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Cyber security DNA IT
12
Sep

PCs and mobile devices are all at risk from malware. That is the generic term for any program, OS update, email attachment or rogue website that can cause harm to business PCs and the data stored on them. Ransomware is rapidly becoming the most prevalent form of malware. This type of threat locks away the company’s data, and the owners often are forced to pay a ransom, usually in the electronic Bitcoin currency, to restore their files, unless they make very regular backups.

A complete security solution

To defend against these threats, your company needs more than a consumer-level firewall or antivirus software protecting its systems. Instead, a well-rounded approach is required to ensure that all systems are using the latest operating systems and are automatically updated with the latest patches to prevent an attack.

This is because many new types of malware can access “backdoors” into computers that the U.S. government have been using to spy on their enemies, until information about all these backdoors was leaked. Now any cyber criminal can launch a hacking campaign using these tools, and while most operating systems have been patched to protect against them, if your company’s systems are not up to date, they are not protected.

Sophos Security

On the network side, your business needs to scan all data coming into its computers across the Internet, on memory sticks, or in emails. Virus software needs to be updated daily with the latest list of threats. Sophos is our choice of security vendor and its endpoint solutions are smart and can detect malware before it has even been categorised by other anti-virus software.

Security solutions made for your business

With many businesses growing fast, it is hard for them to spare the resources for an IT security expert, so relying on outside help from a company like DNA IT Solutions is an ideal option. This allows you to concentrate on your business and let us worry about the threats that lurk online. These aren’t targeting your business specifically, but they spread so wide, fast and randomly that it is easy for any company to be caught in their net. With all-round IT security protection, you can be sure that your business is best protected, and your data – which is essential for day-to-day operations – will be safe.