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News

Why Business Continuity Planning should be on Your Agenda

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Business Continuity DNA IT Solutions
07
Jan

What would happen if your building burnt down tomorrow?  What if your system was hacked and all your data stolen?  Everything was just gone.  How would you continue?   Shocking as this seems, this will be somebody’s reality this year.

If your business closed down, even for a few weeks, you would be surprised at the impact that would have.  Customers would have to seek your product elsewhere and your competitors will jump in to provide that option for them.  Your staff may decide they cannot wait around and you could lose expertise that is hard to replace.  All in all, it would be a complete disaster for your business, one you may not recover from.

Resilience

Resilience is the key when it comes to business continuity planning.  Having the resilience to know where there is risk, putting a plan in place to reduce any impacts and knowing you can get back on track.  It’s planning for what we hope won’t happen but knowing that if it does, we can get back up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Protecting Data

Your business data is at the core of your operations.  Having this critical information in the right place is very important.  By ensuring that it is held in a secure location off site you will reduce the risks significantly.  Also ensuring backups are scheduled at timely intervals will result in an easier return to business.

Complete Recovery

When the worst occurs you require a complete recovery after the incident.  You want to prevent too much disruption in order to get back working again.  You want your phone lines to be diverted, a new temporary premises to operate from and easy access to your systems – a ‘business as usual’ scenario.

Business Continuity not only involves making a plan, it also means testing that plan to ensure it will work in the case of emergency.  It’s like the regular fire drill you do.  Managing the whole process from design, planning and implementation needs the expertise of an IT specialist.

To discuss business continuity planning or disaster recovery planning you can speak with the expert team at DNA IT Solutions.

News

How can Cloud help my Business?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
How can cloud help my Business DNA IT Solutions
02
Jan

Are you planning your business strategy for this year?  This is the time of year that we look back at what kind of year the business has had and consider what improvements can be made.  We also then take a view of where we would like to be in 12 months’ time and try to put a plan in place to get there.

Planning Ahead

You may now be looking at cloud as an option for your business but are unsure of the costs and time involved.  The good news is that cloud allows you the flexibility to take what you need and only pay for what you use.  The beauty of being able to scale up or down as required in a quick efficient manner is what makes cloud so attractive.

You don’t need to be one of the ‘big guys’ anymore to consider cloud.  It allows you to integrate technologies even as a smaller player that without cloud you would need considerable budgets and advanced infrastructure.

Innovation

If you have the idea, then maybe cloud will allow it to become a reality.  Innovation becomes a reality with cloud as certain barriers will disintegrate.  Allowing you to access new markets, launch new products and services as you see fit.  Cloud also allows you to automate certain functions within the business.  This will save time and the resources can be pointed towards other more profitable activities.  Cloud can improve workflows and free up time that was being spent on manual processes.

Backups

What would you do if your system crashed, or you were hacked or a natural disaster destroyed all your current information?  Do you have a reliable backup?  Cloud allows a secure place where a backup can be held off site, the peace of mind this brings can be priceless.  Cloud allows for secure information sharing and helps with data protection regulations on the storage of data.

With fixed monthly costs and no major investments in new servers even your financial manager will be happy.  Think about getting your comms room back and use it for something a bit more inventive.

A new year will bring new opportunities, maybe cloud is that opportunity for your business.  Talk to DNA IT Solutions about transitioning to the cloud today.

 

News

Network Security – are you secure?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Are You Secure network security DNA IT Solutions
13
Dec

What is Network security?  It is the practice of preventing unauthorised access to a private network or the monitoring of use of a public access network.

In simple terms this protects your company data, protects your users and in turn protects your reputation.  In this age of GDPR and data protection, it is more important than ever to ensure what you have stored remains secure.   With increased security threats coming from cyber criminals there are new risks to consider all the time.

Access  

Sometimes the biggest threat can be quite innocent and will come from within the walls of your office.  Do you know who has access to your system?  Now think about that question very carefully before answering.  Even with your staff, not all of them should have the same access level.  Then contractors should have even more limited access and outside agencies none at all.  Consider former employees, interns and short term visitors to your office.   Do they still have access once they leave the building?

Misuse of technology

Misuse or modification of both hardware and software technologies are a big threat.  There should be procedures in place to avoid this happening.  The right network security will target various threats and stop them from entering the network and spreading.  And just in case they do get through, it’s important that you have the most up to date anti-virus and anti-malware software in place.

All the applications that you are running to operate the business should be secure and kept up to date.  This will ensure you are not allowing any vulnerabilities.  It’s easy to do this but sometimes it will get forgotten about.  Firewalls will stop some major risks in their tracks, before they start to cause havoc but they only work in conjunction with everything else.

Online Security

Web security will control what websites your users can access, thereby keeping them on reputable and safe websites.  Lessening the risk with email network systems makes real sense.  This will filter potential issues before they land in the user’s in-box.  Talk to your team about data loss prevention.  Make sure they know how to keep information secure by not forwarding or sharing in a non-secure way.

The Wi-Fi code

Another aspect of network security pertains to wireless.  You would do well to protect the network by not having the same for all users.  It is recommended to have separate Wi-Fi access for staff, visitors and public.

As with all security, IT or physical security of buildings, there is no one-size-for-all solution.  A combination of layers of security is the best option.  If you do not have the confidence that your network security is up to scratch, maybe it is time you spoke to the experts at DNA IT Solutions.

 

News

Is Managed ICT Cresting A Wave?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Managed ICT DNA IT Solutions
10
Dec

Outsourcing the IT function isn’t a particularly new idea but cloud facilitation is driving a new wave of adoption, leading some market observers to think that critical mass has been achieved, writes Alex Meehan, Sunday Business Post.

Recently the Sunday Business Post ran a feature that DNA IT Solutions contributed to, here we share with you what our thoughts were.

Changing role of the data centre

A further interesting development in how managed services are developing is the changing role of the data centre. Where owning or using the services of a data centre used to be something solely done by large enterprise-scale companies, increased interest in cloud services amongst companies of all sizes has changed that. Today, companies of all sizes are using data centre services and they want managed service providers to facilitate that for them.

Declan Hussey, chief executive officer of DNA IT, argues that it’s no longer feasible for many companies to build out data centre infrastructure for smaller companies to a high level. ‘’It just wouldn’t make sense when they can come to a company like us instead. What would take them six months to consider, design and build, we can do in a fraction of the time at any location across the globe at enterprise level” he said.

IT as a service

“At the same time, 10 or 12 years ago the only companies talking about data centres were enterprise level in size. Now even small companies have them, and routinely talk about their ‘data centres’ in some respect. That change is dramatic in a relatively short period of time.” According to Hussey, the whole IT-as-a-service proposition has become a recognised and established business model and is no longer considered adventurous or unusual. “The concept of taking all encompassing IT management-as-a-service or security from a company like us is now a routine way of doing things so companies need a really good and compelling reason why they’d do it themselves” he said.

“They know they can engage someone else to take the workload off their hands and use the savings in terms of time, resources and money to improve their operational efficiency, reduce their risk, improve their time to market and all that goes with that.” This is a broad trend across the managed service sector, and it’s being observed by different companies looking from different vantage points.

News

IBM Cloud – not just big cloud for big business

Posted on by Sean Lucas
IBM Cloud Not just Big Cloud for Big Business DNA IT Solutions
03
Dec

As a medium sized business, you often need to do more with less, and that’s what cloud is all about. Cloud is always available, reliable and needs very little setup or capital expense. Cloud services will expand as your business needs them. With cloud technology, your medium size business can compete on the same level with businesses twice your size.

Why IBM Cloud?

Flexible – You can get exactly what you need for your business.  If you want certain aspects now, other parts later, or all you can get right now, it is all possible.

Simple – Easy to access through local providers who will expertly guide you through the whole process in an easy managed way.

Scalable – ready to scale up or down as your business demands it.  Only paying for what you use and ready to change when you are.

Accelerate your business – Simple, flexible and scalable means that your technology will not be holding you back.  Access new markets and launch new products to grow your business.

Business Growth

You can improve your bottom line in more ways than one.  Access to IBM cloud can help grow revenue by allowing access to new markets in order to expand globally.  We start with a business-first strategy, one that fits your needs whether you are a small business that plans to scale, or a large enterprise that requires additional isolation.  All hosted from your choice of IBM Cloud Data Centre locations around the world.  With strict security controls your data will remain secure and reporting will be made easier.

IBM Cloud enables you to:

  • Deploy high performance compute and storage infrastructure in secure IBM Cloud Data Centres around the world.
  • Test and adopt a broad range of cloud services and capabilities from IBM, open source communities, and third-party developers.
  • Connect to all of your legacy systems and apps from a single, scalable, cloud platform through private network and API capabilities.
  • Spin up and turn down resources in real time as your business needs or workload demands change.

IBM Cloud infrastructure provides the highest performing cloud infrastructure available. IBM Cloud infrastructure is one platform, which takes data centres around the world that are full of the widest range of cloud computing options, then integrates and automates everything

IBM Cloud is designed to host scalable resilient apps and application artefacts that can scale to meet your needs, remain highly available, and be quick to recover from problem.

DNA IT Solutions is a leading IBM Cloud provider in Ireland.  IBM Cloud is not just big cloud for big business, find out more by talking to our expert team.

News

Stay Safe on Cyber Monday

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Cyber Monday Stay safe DNA IT Solutions
26
Nov

Today is one of the biggest online shopping days in Ireland.  Black Friday may be the day we queue outside shops to pick up a bargain, but Cyber Monday is when we become keyboard warriors in search of great deals.

Cyber Criminals Love it

While the retailers love the extra revenue and we certainly love the deals, unfortunately the hackers also love this special day.  They can really catch us off guard today.  We can get caught up in the drama of the day and in a frenzy we may click on dangerous email links leading us to dodgy websites.

New websites

On this day we know time is limited and there is a real FMO (fear of missing out), our friends may get the bargain of the day.  So we are more likely to be on new websites searching for the best offers.   Most of these websites are absolutely fine but we can end up on a dangerous one very easily if we don’t take care.   We are watching social media for offers and when we click we arrive somewhere that looks kind of familiar but on closer inspection it can be a website that is collecting payment details for products that don’t exist.   Many of these sites are created to look very like a popular retailer so you must be vigilant.

Phishing emails

While looking for bargains, all sense goes out the window.  We might get an email telling us about this amazing deal and normally we would be wary but on the day that is in it, we will probably just click without thinking.  Stop!  Phishing emails, social engineering, identity theft are all rife on a day like today.  Offers that are too good to be true, are normally not genuine.

What to do  

Ensure your security software is up to date and all patches have been updated.  Check that the firewall and antivirus is working.  In the office, share your cyber security knowledge with your team to help them stay safe.

It seems obvious but here is a reminder:  Think before you click, only visit trusted sites, check carefully before you give any payment details, look for any signs that the email might be fake or spam.  Stay safe this cyber Monday.

News

Hybrid Cloud and Your Business

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Hybrid Cloud & your business DNA IT Solutions
19
Nov

Hybrid is described as ‘a thing made by combining two different elements’.  As a business you might be willing to embrace the cloud but there may be a reason to hold back just a little.  In some circumstances it may be more beneficial to have some data remain on the ground.  When you choose Hybrid Cloud as an option, you can have the best of both worlds.  Getting access to all the benefits of regular cloud but also managing some of your data on premise.

Flexibility

Those who do not move with technology can be left behind so flexibility is required both in attitude and planning.  Planning for the future of your business is key and wrong decisions can have significant negative impacts.   With a hybrid cloud strategy, you can make key decisions to reduce costs, increase flexibility and put in place solid plans for future success.

Organisations are looking to hybrid cloud because it is widely known that not all businesses fit nicely into the same box.  Hybrid adapts to the different requirements for a mix of public or private cloud combined with on-premises to give broader choices.

Increased Data

With more and more data within every business, maintaining in-house data centres is too expensive and the move to cloud becomes attractive.  When hybrid is involved it is not a straightforward ‘on-premises or cloud’ option but a combination of both which still reduces costs.  Cost reductions vary from one organisation to another depending on the mix which is decided on its operational and technology strategy combined with business goals.

Security of data will be a concern for all businesses.  With hybrid the business can choose what is positioned where depending on compliance or regulatory needs.  Greater control is needed for certain workloads and that is where private cloud may come in as part of hybrid offering.

Disaster recovery and backup services would be a priority when deciding on hybrid cloud.  Availability and security of information will determine what goes in private and what goes in public cloud and what does not stay on premises.

When you decide to start your journey to the cloud you may want to find out more about hybrid cloud.  Future proof your business and get the flexibility you need to grow, talk to a member of the DNA IT Solutions team to look at your options.

 

News

Why is Technology so Important to a Business?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Why technology is important DNA IT Solutions
12
Nov

Regardless of your business sector, we live in times when technology cannot be disregarded anymore. If you plan on making your company successful and survive in today’s market for as long as possible, you will depend on technology.

Of course, not every kind of technology is necessary. You need to find precisely that type of technology that can bring the biggest number of advantages for your business. Luckily, technology has advanced so much in the past years that it is easy to find a solution tailored according to your company’s needs. You just have to be willing to be open-minded when it comes to tech solutions and embrace them as soon as possible.

Why we depend on technology

If you’re still not sure about the importance of technology for your business and why you should use it, there are several strong points that you simply cannot ignore:

It will enhance and facilitate communication with your customers

Both your employees and customers will benefit from the improved communication channels technology offers. If you want things to be done in a fast and effective manner, your employees must be able to communicate in real time whenever they need. Also, you should give your clients the chance to contact you in case they have any questions, with the help of a website and social media profiles. The availability of platforms that allow virtual meetings and communications makes the world a smaller place.  This is how you set the base of proper customer care services.

The workflow will become more effective

Using technology will make all processes run smoother and help complete tasks in a shorter period. Just think about the things you can achieve by simply using the software you already have, then imagine what else is possible.

Your business will enjoy more protection

Security is a must and technology has all the answers. From securing the perimeter of your offices and company headquarters, to surveillance systems in your warehouse, and security solutions for your business’s sensitive data, everything helps you establish a good level of safety. That same level of security is needed across all your systems and platforms to protect against cyber-attack.

It allows employees and team members to stay in touch at all times

The best part about using advanced tech solutions is that it allows your employees to stay in touch no matter where they are. Advanced sharing platforms that allow the team to access and share data in a secure fashion will improve efficiency and protect information.

It opens the doors to new markets

Old technology can hold your business back.  When you are ready to launch into new markets or offer new services you need to know your IT will support your efforts.  Investing in the right systems can help take your company to another level.

It might be the right time to take a look at your technology and have a discussion to see if it is fit for purpose, both for today and the future.   You can always contact the expert team at DNA IT Solutions for a consultation.

News

Security Made Simple for Retail

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Security Made Simple For Retail DNA IT Solutions
05
Nov

Sophos – A complete security solution for traditional and online retail

Your entire company, starting with your employees, those in charge of the distribution, collaborators and business partners can all benefit from the presence of Sophos. Besides creating the best connectivity environment and increasing POS security, Sophos makes sure that everything is extremely safe.

POS network that is secure together with protected databases

Sophos is a solution that offers a high degree of security for every aspect of your business, by practicing prevention methods. Your server, endpoint, and the network will all benefit from the preventative measures of Sophos, so even the newest developed threats won’t be able to produce any harm or damage. The Sophos Security Heartbeat™, a feature that can be provided only by Sophos, keeps malware at bay by detecting and isolating threats as soon as they are noticed, with the help of health status and telemetry measures.

Security for retail businesses of all types

You can easily develop your retail company with the help of Sophos, opening up new headquarters, creating new branches, increasing your number of stores, as this solution will continue offering the same degree of protection. To make sure that the new extensions are under the safe armor of Sophos,  just make the necessary changes to customise it according to your needs.

All threats can be blocked right away

It doesn’t matter what kind of threat you are dealing with, whether you know what it is or not, with Sophos you can block it before it has the chance to cause any damage. This complete solution offers a powerful XG Firewall and APTs to keep everything in control at all times. Thus, you can forget all about worms, hacks, ill-intended bots, and more. You will also have the possibility to keep an eye on the potential threats by monitoring and analysing the status of your networks around the clock. This way, you will be able to take proper measures in a timely manner.

Safe Wi-Fi services for guests

We all know that offering Wi-Fi services for free to potential clients is recommended. But free Wi-Fi services are often seen as not secure, so you need to rise to the expectancy of your store’s visitors and enhance their experiences in a secure manner. With the help of a Sophos firewall, visitors and customers will enjoy better connectivity and security, regardless of the devices they will use.

To find out more about Sophos and protecting your retail business you should speak to the expert team at DNA IT Solutions.  We work with Sophos to keep our clients protected at all times.

News

Switching to Cloud

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Switching to the cloud DNA IT Solutions
30
Oct

Switching to cloud technology is a fast-growing business trend, and it’s not hard to see why.

Approximately 75% of all businesses in Ireland use cloud technology, whether it’s in a public, private, or hybrid. Cloud technology is basically computing based on the internet rather than running applications from a physical server, meaning companies using cloud technology save on costs associated with server maintenance and expansion.

Efficiency for Business  

Cloud technology is also more efficient, since it’s easy to scale. Often businesses will need more or less bandwidth depending on which applications they need to run at any given time, and it’s easier to modify cloud technology to suit these purposes than it is to upgrade a server. Cloud technology also updates automatically, so there’s not as much IT costs involved in keeping it up to date. It’s also easier to back up files with cloud technology rather than resorting to using additional in-house resources.

Another important advantage of cloud technology is that employees often have an easier time logging in to company software remotely – which means that employees are able to be more mobile when they need to be, allowing businesses to offer flexibility that may not have been possible before. Additionally, if there’s a work emergency or projects that need to get done, being away from the office isn’t an issue for more senior staff members who might otherwise feel helpless in a time-sensitive work crisis.

The Challenges

However, along with the perks come some challenges, particularly in the setup phase. If a business is already storing everything on servers, moving everything over can seem like a daunting task. It’s a long project and can require a lot of additional IT work on top of regular everyday maintenance, meaning there are short term costs for the longer term payoff. If a business has the resources and a strategy to jump this hurdle, they still have to make sure that they have selected the right type of cloud platform. Should it be public, private, or a hybrid of both? Public cloud programs are more accessible but don’t have the security that private ones do. What features do you need?

Coping with new processes means encountering resistance to change, but as long as you have a good strategy in place, you’ll be able to overcome it. Knowing why you’re making the move to the cloud and defining your objectives is key to a successful transition. Is it better for performance? Are you aiming to reduce costs? Being able to explain precisely why cloud technology will help the business will also help employees feel invested in putting in the extra work to make it happen.

Changing to cloud technology takes time through the planning and implementation phase, and since time is money, you’ll want to invest it wisely. Still, cloud technology can be a huge benefit to any business hoping to save money in the long run.