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News

Why Web Security is High on the Agenda for Irish SMEs

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Web Security Fusemail DNA IT
16
Jul

The management team of any SME should understand the value of reducing the risks associated with web security.

Any negative impact on your IT security could produce significant business losses.  It may be time to look at what you are currently doing to protect your network and see what improvements need to be made.

Everybody is online now, if you are visible then you are vulnerable.  All businesses will have data, email systems and file networks that are vital to the everyday operation and therefore open to attack.  It’s not just the loss of data, but the resulting loss in reputation, damage and loss of business that will cause concern.

How vulnerable is your business?

Outdated software and systems will leave you vulnerable to attack.  There should be patch management on every piece of software on all your company computers.  In 2017 wannacry attack exploited out of date software on pcs and caused mayhem throughout the world.    This could happen to any company that is not current with their updates.

Not completing network backups regularly is another dangerous game.  If your systems just disappeared overnight how would you recover them?  If they are not backed up regularly, you may lose weeks or months’ worth of information.

Are your employees up to date with IT security protocols?  Phishing emails and other threats are sent everyday around the world.  Will they know what not to click on?  Don’t assume that they all know, a bit of education on the threats will go along way. One click can result in disaster so put another layer of security in before it can be clicked.

Web Security

Web security needs to become as important as email security and anti-virus, as all three work hand in hand to protect organisations against online threats.  With web security there would be automatically scanning for threats to help avoid disaster.  Restricting access for staff for websites that might cause issues with data loss is important.  Analysing emails that may have a risk of carrying ransomware, looking at downloadable content away from your system, just in case it is unsafe.

DNA IT Solutions offer Fusemail as part of our IT Security offering.  We like it as we can build to suit your needs.  It helps protect your organisation from web-based threats, controls internet browsing and enforces web usage policies to users.

FuseMail enables businesses around the world to communicate with confidence every day. The cloud based services provide simple, secure, and scalable solutions for email security, spam/virus filtering, archiving, encryption, web security and email hosting.

Talk to DNA IT Solutions about FuseMail and let us help protect your business from harmful risks.

 

News

Paying too much for storage?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Paying too much for storage_ DNA IT Solutions
06
Jul

Are you old enough to remember cassette tapes in cars?  Or renting out a VHS tape from the video shop in the town?  If you are not, ask your dad!  There’s a reason the younger generation will laugh at the idea of tapes with the technology that is around today.

Tape Backup

There are still many businesses that will do a tape backup when it comes copying data. Tape backup involves copying data from a primary storage device and storing it on a cartridge.  These tapes are then placed in a safe place and can be used should there be a system failure or loss of information.  Many are done manually and can involve arranging downtime while the backup is being done.

Costs

While this might be a fine solution for smaller business, many others are moving away from tape management for a variety of reasons.  The high volume of data generated means it is becoming more cumbersome and time consuming to use this method.  The option of cloud storage is becoming more and more attractive.  This is an option which is relatively low cost and highly scalable which is a very attractive combination.  The added benefit of being easy to change to this method and integrate into the existing system is welcome.

Data Storage

Keeping data for 90 days should be the norm and anything older than this should be archived.  Using short term storage for old information is a waste of resources.  Long term archive storage is cost effective and ideal for data that has to be kept for many years such as patient data.   If you use short term storage for everything it is costing you too much money.  Cloud storage is limitless and cost effective in comparison.

Cloud object storage allows the storage of data sources such as video, audio, mri scans, xray files, all of which can be archived.   All this flexibility and endless storage options are why many organisations are making that move towards cloud storage.

IBM Cloud Object Storage is an unstructured data storage service designed for durability, resiliency and security. Get your data to the cloud faster, analyse it in place and archive it for less.  For more information on IBM Cloud you can speak with DNA IT Solutions.  As a cloud partner with IBM we can offer tailor made solutions for your business.

News

The Impact of a Security Breach

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Impact of a security breach DNA IT Solutions
01
Jul

A recent report stated that cybercrime in Ireland is double global levels.

Businesses of all sizes and in all sectors have been affected.  Looking at these trends, those cyber-attacks are only going to increase in the coming years.

Devastating Costs

Traditional crimes such as burglary or arson will have a detrimental effect on any business.  However, the costs of computer crime can be even higher and more devastating in many ways.

All size businesses must assess their risks individually.  It’s been shown that the chances of a smaller business having a breach is much greater and the likelihood of them making a full recovery is a lot less.  Why?  Because they don’t have the infrastructure in place to both protect them from attack and help them recover should such a disaster occur.

More Information

Both the attacks and risk of attack have been there for some time but there has never been so much processing and storage of information as there is today.  There is also more dependency on IT systems and therefore cyber crime has become very lucrative.  The hackers know the high impact they can create on a business.  Their knowledge is growing and the attacks are increasingly becoming more sophisticated.

It’s not just something related to the ‘computer systems going down’, it could be the business going down the drain.   An attack can mean loss of data and downtime which in turn could affect your business negatively.  Losing customers, loss of revenue and damage to reputation are all scary notions. There may be an impact on cash flow, possible fines for regulations broken and higher premiums for insurance at the least.

 

How to Protect

Having the correct processes in place to help prevent that attack is the first priority.  This will include having the right software to identify an issue and prevent it.  User training is also a key part of protecting your business, informing staff on simple safety measures they can implement.  And having a plan in place should a disaster occur so you can recover quickly from it and ensure business continuity.

You need to have a plan in place and you need expert advice for that.  Don’t leave your business open to attack, talk to the team at DNA IT Solutions to see how we can help.

News

Technology is Changing Rapidly

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Technology is changing rapidly DNA IT Solutions
25
Jun

A fine wine will improve with age, however, the same cannot be said about technology.  As your technology gets a bit older it will start to cause issues and that in turn will impact your business.

Open to attack

Old technology will be more prone to compromises.  Hackers have seen the old stuff before, so it is easy to cause some problems.  Your business then becomes an easy target and that is not what you want.

Would you drive a car without an NCT?  Would you trust one that has high mileage and had not been serviced regularly?  I didn’t think so.  So why would you trust old software and ancient hardware that may be ready to collapse.

Obviously if your IT infrastructure implodes you will have many issues such as downtime, loss of information and the costs associated with that.  One thing you may not have considered is that your risk becomes an issue to others, letting hackers in so they can distribute on your network.   Spreading viruses, malware and causing all sorts of issues directly from you to your customers.  Leaving you wide open for problems that could last the lifetime of your business.

IT Security  

Hackers and cyber-attacks have been around for a long time.  Security needs to evolve as threats become more sophisticated.   What was once the trusted way of protecting the business has become obsolete.  There is no one ‘out of the box’ solution but the combination of the right layers of security could be your saviour.

This whole area of IT is confusing and scary for many business owners so it is only right that you get to see the whole picture.  A good MSP (managed service provider) will have all the tools available to for your situation.  Taking a look at your needs, assessing your risks and discussing your future plans will all be relevant to getting the correct systems in place for you.

Future proof your business and rest easy at night knowing that your systems are being monitored and protected.  The first step is an audit of your hardware and software and then a frank discussion about your businesses future.

News

What is Blockchain?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
What is Blockchain DNA IT Solutions
18
Jun

Blockchain is another one of those terms that seems to be popping up in all sorts of conversations lately.  But do you understand what Blockchain is and how it works?   More importantly, could it be a solution for your business?

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a digital ledger in which transactions made in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency are recorded chronologically and publicly.  It records the history of transactions and cannot be altered.

Why do we need it?

Transactions take place every second in the world today.  All over the global there are orders, payments and account tracking every hour of every day. Often, each participant has his own ledger which is his version of the truth.   Having multiple ledgers is a recipe for error, fraud and inefficiencies. The goal is to see a transaction end-to-end and reduce those vulnerabilities for businesses and individuals.

How does Blockchain work?

So how does all this work?  The transactions are complex because each participant has his own, separate ledger.  There is always the possibility of human error or even fraud so the reliance on intermediaries for validation creates inefficiencies often.  The whole situation can result in a paper-laden process, with frequent delays and potential losses for all stakeholders.

Can Blockchain makes it better?

With Blockchain there will be one single shared ledger that is tamper evident. The transactions are all recorded in it and once that happens then transactions cannot be altered.  For further validation, all parties involved must give consensus before a new transaction is added to the network.   This will reduce paper processes, speed up transaction times and therefore increase efficiency.

How to Build a Blockchain.

When each transaction happens it is put into a block, this occurs with all transactions.  Then each block is connected to the one before and after it.  The transactions are blocked together and each block is added to the next in an irreversible chain.

The benefits of Blockchain are critical to enterprise:

Distributed: This is a record system that is accessible among all that participate on the business network.

Permissioned: As a participant each member of the network can access the information but it is not shared with others.

Secured:  Once the transaction is recorded there is a permanent record.  Nobody can delete or alter it later meaning that the information is secure.

Opportunity: Blockchain is creating extraordinary opportunities for businesses to come together in new ways.  It creates a new business model that reduces inefficiency and gives value.  It streamlines business processes and reduces risk and uncertainty.

IBM Blockchain empowers businesses to transform workflows through a highly secured, shared and replicated ledger.  A new concept available from a trusted brand that can enable organisations to engage securely.   It comes with many advantages including freeing up capital flow, lower transaction cost and speedy processes.   IBM Blockchain may be what your business is looking for.

DNA IT Solutions are one of only a handful of IBM Cloud partners in Ireland today.

News

Should we fear the cloud?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Should we fear the cloud DNA IT Solutions
11
Jun

Cloud can be seen as a risk or an opportunity by an organisation depending on their experience and knowledge.

While cloud has been around for some time and used by many large global companies it was often not accessible to the masses.  However, it is only in recent years that it has become more accessible to small and medium enterprises.

Risk or opportunity?

When weighing up the pros and cons of anything you have to take all the information that is available and decide what is relevant.   Once you have the knowledge only then can you make an informed decision.

Security Threats – old threats in a new environment

Let’s take an example to help us evaluate if the cloud gives us opportunities.  When we look at the risk of a data breach we will immediately start to imagine real business costs emerging.  The loss of information will cause downtime which in turn is a business cost.  However, the real cost could be loss in reputation which results in loss of clients and even bigger financial losses.   This risk was always in existence, even before the cloud came on your agenda.

Attacks on cloud are less likely than on traditional data centres or internal systems.  With cloud you have ways to help you increase security with innovative approaches designed to detect threats long before they threaten your enterprise.

Hackers are still operating in the same space as before but now they are coming up against more sophisticated cloud based security systems.  With data that is encrypted throughout its cloud journey this threat is lessened when the cloud is the solution.

Data Loss

Data Loss is where a company mislays or accidentally deletes information that is still critical to the business.  In this case it is usually human error or it can happen when a file gets corrupted.  In the past when a laptop was stolen the data contained within was lost forever, however, now with data stored in the cloud all is not lost to the business.  Plus, the files on the laptop will be encrypted so are useless to any would be criminal.

File corruption can be prevented by improving endpoint security options and email that is filtered protects users.  There are so many more security options available when the cloud is part of your IT infrastructure.

IBM Cloud is enterprise grade dedicated private cloud available to businesses in Ireland today.  DNA IT Solutions are one of a handful of partners in the market today that can offer your business this valuable solution.  If you are looking for added protection in the cloud market, don’t fear it, talk to us instead.

News

Layers rather than a single solution for IT Security

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Layers for IT Security DNA IT
05
Jun

A virus is a piece of code which is able to copy itself and infect a system and in turn destroy data.  This corruption can have an extremely detrimental effect on any business.

With each virus getting more sophisticated as they are created, it takes global leading technology to stay ahead of the game.   As the hackers get more access to resources it makes it easier to create an attack.  With users more dependent on IT to run their businesses, the hackers can take advantage of any small vulnerability.

Insider Threat

Your biggest asset could also be the biggest threat to the security of your data.  Your staff might end up doing you huge damage, without any intention and much remorse later.  Many attacks will happen as a result of an email to an internal end user.

An email can be the start of a phishing attack.  Many of the successful ones look very real with less of the wrong spelling, bad grammar and more of the good graphic design.  It’s big business so there is more thought being put into them by the cyber criminals.  They know they can generate big money so attacks are more sophisticated and new ones coming on stream all the time, spreading faster and wider than ever.

Single Solution

There is no single solution for the threat of ransomware.  However, you can work to prevent the attack and having processes in place to recover from an attack.   The solution is a combination of layers of security.

Antivirus – Having antivirus software that is up to date and fit for the task of checking all files against known threats is vital.  Network monitoring will ensure emails are filtered so most malicious ones will never even get to the user.

Patches – As vulnerabilities in software are identified the manufacturer will issue notification for a patch that is required for protection.  Your systems should be updated regularly with the latest ones, sealing the gap where a security leak could happen.

Back up – Regular backups that are stored securely and a full systems backup will form a solid back up plan.  Should an attack occur you need to have a plan in place to have a copy of your data ready to be uploaded so you can keep in business. For critical industries, this could include back up of devices in a real-time situation.  This is part of disaster recovery processes that guarantee business continuity should the worst happen.

Secure systems – Another must have is file encryption.  Use systems that are safe for sharing information, such as Autotask file sync and share.  This allows the team to collaborate securely from multiple locations with familiar programmes such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  But without the worry of data being breached.

User training – Staff should be aware of the risks and management should have procedures in place to update skills.  Knowing what to look out for, how to spot something and also what to do if in doubt could divert a catastrophe.

For more information on Autotask as part of your security solution contact the team at DNA IT Solution.   We work with businesses just like you to provide you with the IT infrastructure that allows you to operate effectively in today’s world.

News

Taking care of IT

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Taking care of IT DNA IT SolutionsTaking care of IT DNA IT Solutions
16
May

In every business there are certain essentials that are common to all.  Electricity, phone lines and access to banking are just a few.  The other essential element to any modern business today is IT.

Reliance on IT

With an increasing reliance on technology to run a business, it can be a scary place for many businesses.  Most organisations will have experts in finance, sales and marketing but it would be rare for a medium sized business to be able to hire a full time IT expert.

Your own IT Expert

Outsourcing elements of your business will be a common concept for most.  Many smaller businesses will outsource their accounting function.  If you are looking for expertise in certain areas that you are not familiar with there is no need to employ full time staff when you can outsource the management of this function.

A managed IT service provider (MSP) will have a team that consistently keep up to date on all the newest technology that is available.  They will have expertise working in many industries and may already be knowledgeable in whatever sector you are in.  They will know your requirements and objectives and work with you to achieve them.

Service Offered

As well as providing and fixing issues with computers and equipment, your MSP will provide a service that will enable you to perform with confidence.  Some little known areas that you may need assistance in are:

Users:  Your team are your best asset but they can also be a threat to your security – without them even knowing it.  Your IT partner will set authorised access levels for staff to ensure they can only access what they need to on a day to day basis.  They will make them aware of security threats, help protect their mobile devices and offer training on cyber security.

Security:  There are many threats to your business, not just the burglar but cyber criminals are a bigger worry.  Your IT partner will ensure you have the right layers of security to help protect you from a data breach or various viruses and malware that can bring your business to a halt.

Cloud:  You may have been considering a move to the cloud, but is it right for you at this moment in time?  Your IT partner will help you decide if you should migrate or stay as you are.  They will also help you look to the future and provide a solution that not only works today but is flexible enough to scale when your business grows.

At DNA IT Solutions we are an independent managed IT Service Provider.  We work with a variety of world class vendors.  This means we have many options at our fingertips to create a solution without putting pressure on you to purchase something in particular.

We offer advice based on our experience with the most popular technology available today.   We work with businesses large and small and all will get access to whatever they need.  We also discuss disaster recovery and help you put the plan in place around business continuity.

DNA IT Solutions don’t just offer back-up – we have your back!   For more information or a consultation please contact our team today.

News

Why choose IBM Cloud?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
why choose IBM Cloud DNA IT Solutions
15
May

IBM was once seen as the option for the big multinationals only.  This private, dedicated cloud offering is now more accessible to mainstream businesses through their partner network.  As one of only a handful of their Irish partners, we have started to bring this innovative product to select clients.  These clients have specific needs, many around data protection and IBM Cloud offers the perfect solution for them.

Secure to the core

IBM Cloud is designed for business data, offering a solution for those organisations that may have complex needs.  Security is key and IBM Cloud is secure to the core.  They started with security rather than adding it on later which is why it is such a trusted brand.   IBM Cloud secures the movement of data on a network of networks. Public, private, and management traffic travel across separate network interfaces, segregating and securing traffic while streamlining management. IBM Cloud meets data sovereignty and compliance regulations with nearly 60 locally owned and operated data centres in 19 countries—that is more than any other cloud provider.

With emerging technologies, it is good to know that it is also AI Ready.  IBM Cloud powers AI-intensive workloads that demand data integrity, low-latency and parallel processing. It also offers a broad range of Watson AI and machine learning APIs to build your own applications

Wide Range

IBM Cloud offers the widest array of database options, from relational to NoSQL, while ensuring strong consistency, high integrity, and no delay.  IBM Cloud offers over 170 services to customers.  These range from bare metal, containers, and serverless computing to hyper scale infrastructure, blockchain, AI/ML, and HP, all with built in security at their core.

Migrate with confidence

Even the most complex migrations to the cloud including VMware, SAP, Oracle or your legacy workloads are made easier with IBM Cloud, allowing you to move faster and be more agile.  DNA IT Solutions have worked with many organisations in a variety of industry sectors to ensure a smooth migration.

Grow without hesitation

We all know that cloud is flexible and scalable but with IBM you reach new heights.  You can expand your footprint without ever changing your cloud provider, it will grow and move with you.  You can  extend from local hosting to full globalisation, and even brokerage in between multiple clouds.

The possibilities with IBM Cloud are endless.  When it becomes time to consider moving to IBM Cloud then DNA IT Solutions can be your partner.  Let us use our expertise to help get you where your business needs to be.   This is IBM Cloud the DNA way.

News

Say Yes to the Cloud

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Say yes to the cloud DNA IT
14
May

Not moved to the cloud yet?

It might seem that everybody else has moved on and you may be feeling a little left behind.  However, it’s never too late to consider a move and if you are looking at growth in the near future then it is something that really needs to be on your agenda.

At DNA IT Solutions, we have been working with businesses all over Ireland for many years helping them migrate to the cloud.  It has changed from a situation where it was something we had to push a company to do, to a new world where the customer is ready to make that move even before we meet them.

Why the Interest in Cloud?

There are many advantages in moving to the cloud including both flexibility and scalability. There can be significant cost savings if you choose the right option for your business. That is why it is critical to make the right decision at the start of your journey to the cloud.

Here are some of the benefits of Cloud Storage

COST EFFECTIVE – You only pay for what you use and there are no more server upgrades, server maintenance or deprecation.  Fixed monthly fees making managing costs easier.  No more fears over building security or environment suitability for servers on premises.

RELIABLE – The data centres involved are maintained by the finest back-up solutions and redundancy systems.  They are staffed by expert teams that keep everything up to date, reducing downtime for your business.

SECURE – Data stored in the cloud is given the highest priority to its security, with top class encryption options available for sensitive data.   Storing your information off site is also a sound decision when it comes to disaster recovery planning.

FLEXIBLE – Cloud means huge resources to hand whenever and for whatever you want to use it for.  Not only storage but applications so that a solution can be configured to meet your specific needs.

SCALABLE – When more storage space is needed you can increase the allowance with little effort.   Scale up and down as your business demands.  No need to buy more expensive hardware or reconfigure hard drives.  With cloud there are no limits.

Cloud is everywhere in business today, particularly for today’s modern mobile workforce.   Using cloud means allowing access to documents to them while on the road or working remotely.  With the correct security layers, data can be accessed as if you were in the office from anywhere without concern.

If you think your business is ready for a move to the cloud give us a call to discuss your options.