Ransomware Attackers Look For Unpatched Systems To Exploit

Not long ago Microsoft patched a critical MSHTML remote code execution security flaw being tracked as CVE-2021-40444.

Beginning on August 18th of this year (2021) the company spotted hackers exploiting this flaw in the wild. So far there have been fewer than ten attacks made that exploit this flaw but it's inevitable that the number will increase.

So far all of the attacks that have been tracked exploiting this flaw have relied on maliciously crafted Word documents and all have resulted in the installation of Cobalt Strike Beacon loaders.

Beacons deployed on at least one of the networks that were attacks communicated with infrastructure connected with a number of cyber crime campaigns. Those include the ones that utilize human-operated ransomware.

Microsoft Notices A Spike in Ransomware Attacks

At least two of the other attacks tracked to date have delivered Trickbot and BazaLoader payloads. Microsoft observed a huge spike in exploitation attempts from multiple threat actors including some affiliated with ransomware-as-a-service operations.

Microsoft is continuing to monitor the situation but the bottom line is simply this: This flaw has been patched. Researchers connected with Bleeping Computer have independently verified that the exploit no longer works after applying the September 2021 security patch.

Hackers around the world are actively scanning for unpatched systems in order to exploit the vulnerability. If your system is vulnerable then your risk in this instance is extreme. The best course of action is to patch your way out of danger at your earliest opportunity.

If for any reason you are unable to apply the patch be aware that Microsoft has published a viable workaround that includes disabling ActiveX controls via Group Policy and preview in Windows Explorer.

Kudos to Microsoft for addressing the issue and for coming up with a workaround for those who are unable to patch their way to safety.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need help in protecting your business against ransomware and other online threats.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Used with permission from Article Aggregator

Report Finds One Third Of Suspicious Emails Are Threats

Employee cybersecurity training is paying off according to a report recently released by IT security company F-Secure.

 

Researchers from F-Secure analyzed more than 200,000 emails that had been flagged as suspicious by employees working for organizations around the world. They discovered that more than one third of those emails could be classified as phishing.

 

Phishing is an extremely common technique hackers use to gain important information about specific individuals. In some cases they even gain access to a system that the hackers are targeting. For example hackers may employ phishing techniques to impersonate a vendor company that another company does business with. Perhaps they attach a poisoned Word or Excel document that appears to be an invoice.

 

If the recipient enables macros to view the document, it will install malware onto the recipient's computer. That will allow the hackers to spy on the user and attack other machines on the network. It's one of the most common tactics employed by hackers around the world with phishing attacks accounting for fully half of all infection attempts in 2020.

 

Even with a relatively low success rate there are so many phishing attacks made over the course of any given year that it adds up to a staggering number of successes. That is why hackers rely so heavily on the technique.

 

F-Secure's Director of Consulting had this to say about the recently published study:

 

"You often hear that people are security's weak link. That's very cynical and doesn't consider the benefits of using a company's workforce as a first line of defense. Employees can catch a significant number of threats hitting their inbox if they can follow a painless reporting process that produces tangible results."

 

Naude makes an excellent point. Kudos to the company for conducting the analysis and to all the employees who submitted suspicious emails for a closer look.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need help in protecting your accounts and network from phishing and other types of online attacks.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Used with permission from Article Aggregator

 

Hackers Behind REvil Ransomware Are Back Online

Not long after successfully attacking Kaseya the band of cyber criminals behind the REvil ransomware strain went dark. Their "Happy Blog" mysteriously went offline.

It is not known if the group went into hiding as a safety precaution after their attack drew worldwide condemnation. It could have been as a result of action by law enforcement agencies. The truth is not currently known.

Many credit Presidents Biden and Putin because the group went silent not long after the two leaders spoke. Biden pressed the Russian leader about ransomware attacks that originated from Russian soil.

Kaseya is a global IT support solutions company based in Ireland. The REvil attack impacted thousands of end users in more than a thousand small to medium-sized companies that Kaseya serves. Whatever drove the hacking group offline temporarily the pressure seems to have faded. The group has returned. Security researchers from both Emsisoft and Recorded Future have confirmed that most of the gang's infrastructure is back in operation.

Ransomware expert Allan Liska had this to say about the group:

"Things definitely got hot for them for a while, so they needed to let law enforcement cool down. The problem (for them) is, if this is really the same group, using the same infrastructure, they didn't really buy themselves any distance from law enforcement or researchers, which is going to put them right back in the crosshairs of literally every law enforcement group in the world (except Russia's).

I'll also add that I've checked all of the usual code repositories, like VirusTotal and Malware Bazaar, and I have not seen any new samples posted yet. So, if they have launched any new ransomware attacks, there haven't been many of them."

BlackFog's CEO Darren Williams added that he's not surprised that the group resurfaced. REvil is one of the most successful ransomware variants of 2021. With so much demand from hackers around the world it would have been virtually impossible for the group to remain hidden and offline. REvil is back and it is just a matter of time before REvil attacks begin anew.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want your data and network protected against ransomware and other online threats.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Hackers Are Using Windows 11 Curiosity To Load Malware

Millions of people around the world are understandably curious about Windows 11. It's easy to understand why. A new OS offered by the company that makes the most widely OS used on the planet is a big deal.

Unfortunately, hackers are well aware of this and are currently using that curiosity as a means of of cyberattacks spreading malicious software to unsuspecting victims.

Cybersecurity researchers have found evidence suggesting that the notorious "FIN7" cyber gang is responsible for the latest campaign which started in late June of this year (2021). That coincided with Microsoft's early announcements about the release of Windows 11.

The current campaign seems to have concluded in late July. All expectations are that a new campaign will begin the next time Microsoft makes another major announcement about their new OS.

The hacking group used tried and true social engineering tactics creating a poisoned Word document filled with Windows 11 logos and imagery to pique a reader's curiosity and for data breaches. If this poisoned document is opened readers will get a message saying that the advanced features of the document cannot be accessed unless macros are enabled. Naturally if the reader opts to enable macros this is the mechanism by which the malware payload is delivered.

It's a vicious campaign designed to prey on people's natural curiosity about something that's almost certain to have a significant impact on them. Given that we can expect to see more of these types of campaigns as Microsoft moves closer to the Windows 11 launch date.

If you get an email (regardless of who it is from) and that message asks you to download something or enable macros, just say no. Few if any reputable companies require such things to view their content and these are almost always signs that someone is trying to scam or hack you.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts come up with the best cybersecurity strategy to protect your computers and network from online threats.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Benefits of Outsourcing IT Through Managed Services

Outsourcing IT via managed services offered by IT service firms has many benefits.

Control IT costs

Outsourcing makes fixed IT costs variable and allows you to budget very effectively. This means that you only pay for what you actually use when you hire an IT support company.

Reduce Labor Costs

Temporary staff is often not up to standard and it can be costly to hire and train IT staff. Outsourcing allows you to focus on the human resources you need most.

Experienced, certified, trained, and qualified

How can you ensure that your employee is competent for the job if you don't have any IT training? While certifications like Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer are important, you shouldn't overlook the value of experience.

Factors When Looking For IT Service Firms

Experienced and qualified are not the same

Leading IT service companies are familiar with many issues, and have seen them all. No matter how much training an IT worker receives, they will live a lonely existence. An experienced doctor is better than an in-house IT employee. The same can be said for IT professionals.

Increase Efficiency and Competitiveness

Companies that try to manage all IT Services internally are more likely to have more time for research, development and execution. This can increase costs and then be passed on to their clients.

Implement New Tech Right Away

Reliable IT support companies can help you start new projects right away by providing the necessary resources. It can take weeks, if not months, to find the right people for the job. They will be trained and provided with the support they require. Top-quality IT companies will have years of experience, which can save a lot of money and time.

Focus on your core business

Managers and firms have limited resources. IT Outsourcing allows businesses to remain focused on their core business and not worry about complicated IT decisions.

Lower Risk

Every business investment carries a level of risk. Markets, technology, regulations and financial conditions all change quickly. With some industry knowledge, including security and compliance issues, outsourcing providers can take on a lot of the risk. They can help you avoid the risks associated with your area of expertise.

Level the playing field

Small businesses don't have the resources to pay for in-house support staff, and even less to maintain them than larger companies. Outsourcing can help small businesses to be big. It gives them the same technology and expertise as big companies. Your frim can gain a competitive edge by outsourcing. This will include cost structure and the economy of scale.

Compliance and Security

Are you using an up-to-date firewall? Have you installed DMZ? Are you performing an audit of your servers and workstations? Your company has put in place PCI security measures and worked hard to maintain them. There are many ways for businesses to succeed, including receiving payments such as Debit and credit cards, gift certificates, wire transfers, and E-checks. These types of transactions will require you to do your research. Hiring a managed IT service provider can help your company reduce the risk associated with maintaining credit card numbers and client data.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now for more information about managed IT services and other IT security solutions.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-418-4792
https://www.spartantec.com/

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
https://manageditserviceswilmington.com

SpartanTec, Inc.
Fayetteville, NC 28304
(910) 745-7776
https://manageditservicesfayetteville.com

SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
https://manageditservicescolumbia.com

SpartanTec, Inc.
Charleston, SC 29407
843-418-4792
https://manageditservicescharleston.com

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Risk management for small businesses

Understanding and managing the risks that your small business faces will increase your chances of success and long-term growth. The steps of risk management can be used to prepare your business for any eventuality. What's risk management?

What is risk management?

Risk management plan protects your business from operational, strategic, reputational, and internal risks.

Organizations can prepare for the unexpected by creating a plan to mitigate those risks and reduce extra costs. Not all risks are bad. According to the Small Business Administration, risks can also be caused by opportunities. Expansion and growth, for example, are great opportunities but can also present additional risks if they're not managed properly.

The ultimate goal of risk management is to minimize or prevent any negative effects on your business.

What is the importance of risk management?

Everyday life is full of risks. It is difficult to plan without taking into consideration the risks involved in every business activity.

According to the SBA, good risk management (PDF), has many benefits. Good cash flow leads stability which in turn leads to good credit which in turn leads to longevity.

The SBA also recommends

Risk management. It increases the likelihood of your business succeeding by helping you prepare for the unexpected.

Cash flow risk

Although there are many risks that can affect your business' financial health, this particular type of risk is focused on cash flow. Your liquid assets can be threatened by having too many customers or taking on too much debt.

Strategy risk

According to Harvard Business Review these are risks that a company takes on in order to earn greater returns. Every opportunity, no matter how lucrative, is fraught with risk. A risk management plan can help you determine whether or not the opportunity is worth taking.

Risk to reputation

A damaged reputation can lead to loss of brand loyalty, sponsors and suppliers, as well as employee morale. This type of risk is especially relevant for small businesses.

Hazard Risk

When talking about risk, the most common word is hazard. This includes common risks such as legal liability, property risk, and workers' compensation. Some examples include storm damage, building fires, employee illness, or injury.

Operational Risk

Anything that could affect internal, daily activity is an operational risk. Operations can be affected by technical problems, like a server failure; process issues, such as a lack of cash control among employees; or human error, such a mistaken data entry that causes a shortage.

Data Loss risk

Having your customer's data, financial data or sensitive company data compromised by cybercriminals or by a natural disaster such as a hurricane can be disastrous.

How do you identify potential risks

Identify the risk

Collect your team to brainstorm all possible risks, from equipment to customers. The SBA recommends that you invest in a business plan (PDF). This will help you identify any potential risks.

Analyze the Risks

Now, consider the effect each risk has on your business's operations, continuity, and future growth. To identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential threats and opportunities, you could do a strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), analysis with your team. You can now evaluate the likelihood and potential consequences for each risk on your list and rank them according to their severity so that you can decide which risks to address first.

Assess risk management options

Begin with the highest-ranking risks and decide whether to mitigate, transfer, or avoid them. As a customer-facing company, you cannot avoid the possibility of customers visiting your store. You can reduce the risk by controlling the flooring that you use to prevent slips and falls. You could transfer your driving risk to a food delivery company if you are a restaurant that makes deliveries. You could transfer your liability to an insurance company for certain risks.

Choose how to manage risk

Now, it's time for you to put your plan into practice. As an example, if you want to prevent customer slips and falls, your plan might be to call a flooring contractor on Thursday at 9 a.m. to select your flooring and schedule the installation date.

Review and monitor the risk

Schedule one or more check-ins to evaluate how your plan is going and make any necessary adjustments. If you have decided to eliminate your driving exposure, do you think the delivery company you selected is successful? Or should you try another service? Remember, don't stop at identify. To ensure that your business is prepared for any threat, it's crucial to outline your next steps and assign accountability. Then monitor and evaluate the risks.

Analyze your IT strategy

Now is the time for a Managed IT Services company such as SpartanTec, Inc. review your vulnerability to outside attack, your backup policies and do a thorough threat assessment.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want to know more about risk management and managed IT services.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Exchange Servers Are The Target Of This New Ransomware

A new ransomware gang known as "LockFile" has recently burst onto the scene. They specifically target Microsoft Exchange servers to gain access then proceed to encrypt everything they can find.

LockFile employs a trio of vulnerabilities that are collectively known as ProxyShell to gain access to a targeted exchange server.

ProxyShell was given its name by Orange Tsai. Tsai is the Devcore Principal Security Researcher who initially chained them together to create the cyberattack. All three issues had been known previously but it was Tsai who first thought to daisy chain them to create a new attack vector.

The issues are being tracked separately as follows:

• CVE-2021-34473 - Pre-auth Path Confusion leads to ACL Bypass (Patched in April by KB5001779)
• CVE-2021-34523 - Elevation of Privilege on Exchange PowerShell Backend (Patched in April by KB5001779)
• CVE-2021-31207 - Post-auth Arbitrary-File-Write leads to RCE (Patched in May by KB5003435)

All of these issues have already been patched per the notes above but of course there is no guarantee that they're patched on your network. Your IT support staff may or may not have gotten around to applying the patches referenced above. If not then your network is at risk.

It should also be noted that hackers are actively scanning for Exchange servers vulnerable to ProxyShell attacks. So if your network is at risk then it's just a matter of time until LockFile finds you.

Bookmark this article to serve as a reference and have your IT staff double check to be sure that the patches referenced above have indeed been applied on your network. If they haven't then make sure they are as soon as possible in order to minimize your risk.

Very little is known about the LockFile gang and their motivations. It should be known that their ransomware is incredibly dangerous. Lack of action to protect vulnerable systems could have tragic consequences.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts help protect your company against ransomware and other online threats by setting up effective cybersecurity measures.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Five Ways Your Employees will Invite Hackers into Your Network

Hackers in movies are glamorous, no matter if they're heroes or criminals. These hackers are those who hack into hostile foreign government databases or megacorporations to find the key. They can either rescue the day or downgrade regimes, or empty the Federal Reserve's digital vault or disable all power plants. They always win against an impassable wall of IT security.

It's not that hard in real life. You might think hackers are similar to Hollywood's hacker counterparts. They have stolen data from Equifax and stolen millions of customer records. Hackers aren't always against big companies. They're often against small and mid-sized businesses. This doesn't usually involve hacking into any actual thing. Unwitting employees often leave the digital front door open, which is approximately 60% of the cases according to Harvard Business Review.

Your employees and not a group hackers are the greatest threat to your company's IT security . Here are the reasons.

1 They will fall for it because they don’t know better.

The proliferation of technology has brought an exponential increase in digital threats. These threats are so numerous and complex that it would be difficult for anyone to keep track. Your employees' lives can be a maze of passwords, online accounts interconnected and valuable data. Their inattention at any time can make them and your company more vulnerable. Cyber-attacks are most often due to lack of cybersecurity education.

2 They will let you hack on purpose.

A large percentage of cyber attacks stem from insiders of companies leaking data to malicious organizations. It doesn't matter if it's information that is vital to your competitive advantage, passwords they sell to hackers networks to make quick buck, or sensitive data they want to make public to spite your company, it's hard to protect against a double agent.

3 They will trust the wrong person.

Many hacks require very little code. Hackers are known for pretending to be a member of your team. You may be wrong to believe you can spot an impostor from miles away. It is easier than ever to hack individual user's login credentials and e-mail passwords. Personal information is also easily accessible via social media. A quick visit to Facebook will give hackers all the information they need to hack into your business.

4 They will miss red flags when surfing the internet.

Clickbait is not just a problem that plagues your social media accounts, it's a serious threat to your reputation. Clickbait can be used by hackers to lure victims. An employee who doesn't know what makes a link or site look suspicious could expose themselves and your company to browser exploits and other types of attacks.

5 They are terrible at passwords.

Entreprenuer.com reports that 3 out of 4 consumers have duplicate passwords. Many of these passwords have not been changed for five years or more. Even worse, weak passwords can allow unsavory elements easy access. Although many people ignore the importance of strong passwords and the dangers posed by passwords like "123456" and "password", it is important to remember that they can be easily accessed by unsavory elements.

It can seem impossible to secure your valuable assets from online threats. There is one thing you can do to improve your IT security: educate your employees. A comprehensive security program that includes examples of hacker methods, such as phishing, can dramatically reduce the chance of employees accidentally opening malicious e-mails or posting sensitive information. You are much less likely to get targeted if you all work together to protect your organization from cyber-attacks.

SpartanTec, Inc. can provide more information about how managed IT services can protect your company from hackers.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Four Must-Have Low-Risk Cloud Solutions

Your business is in fierce competition. They'll eat your business alive if they catch up to you in the technology "arms race". Perhaps your network requires greater security. Perhaps you aren't taking advantage of cloud-based apps that allow your team to do more in a shorter time. The cloud computing is the new frontier in business today. It's much easier for competitors than you to know what's out there.

Here are four cloud computing tips to help you stay ahead.

Network Security

Network security or monitoring your network's devices in real-time is crucial to avoid cyber-attacks as they become more mobile and diverse. A network security tool that detects weak points and alerts you of potential threats is a good choice. It can use both software and hardware technologies. Today's environment requires a multitude of checkpoints, including access control and WiFi-intrusion monitoring.

How can you defend yourself against malware that defy your monitoring efforts? No antivirus program can be 100% "bulletproof" due to recent "fileless malware attacks. However, basic protection should cost around $40 per user.

You should look for features like email security and data loss prevention. It scans fast, consumes only a small space on your device, and may recover files encrypted by ransomware.

Collaboration

It can almost be as easy as giving your team steroids - if you give them the right cloud collaboration tools. There are many apps out there, so the challenge is to find the right one for you. Asana and Slack are top contenders. These apps and others can help improve efficiency in areas such as project and task management, team communications, collaboration, brainstorming, document processing, storage, and many more. Cloud collaboration means that you don't have to limit your ability to bring in talent from just your local area.

Contracts & Accounting

Monthly revenues can be affected by delays in submitting proposals and contracts. Are your sales people still asking customers for signatures and faxes? They're wasting precious time every day if they do. There's also the cost of managing and storing physical files. All of this adds up. So many companies use electronic signature apps like Adobe Sign, DocuSign and RPost. These apps allow you to sign important documents online and encrypt files. Some of these are court-approved, and they create an audit trail.

QuickBooks, a veteran in the industry, is now available online. Xero, meanwhile, can help you manage your books with relative ease. Both offer an intuitive, user-friendly interface and affordable pricing that includes a wide range of features. They can also be accessed remotely from any location, which allows for greater flexibility in your workforce.

Business Planning

Do investors need proof that your company is a strong investment? Tarkenton GoSmallBiz is the best all-in-one planning tool. It was created by Fran Tarkenton (NFL Hall of Fame quarterback) and is specifically designed for small businesses. It provides highly customizable, detailed data fields that can be customized to simplify your planning. This allows you to create financial statements or projections directly from the program without having to use external spreadsheets. You also have access to GoSmallBiz business-planning specialists who can help you improve your plans and make better proposals.

SpartanTec, Inc. offers cloud computing services. Call us now if you want to know more about it and how it can help your business.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Recent Massive Data Breach Attacks T-Mobile Company

US telecommunications giant T-Mobile is the latest big company to suffer from a successful hacking attack. The company is still cooperating with law enforcement and investigating an attack.

Here are the details. A threat actor claimed to have made copies of databases that contained personal information belonging to more than 100 million of the company's customers.

The attacker is currently offering copies of the database for sale on the Dark Web for six bitcoin valued at approximately $280,000 USD at the time this article was written.

The database being offered contains useful information including:

• First and last name
• Dates of birth
• Driver's license numbers
• And social security numbers belonging to more than 30 million people.

The remaining records also contain personal information but the information is somewhat less comprehensive than the 30 million records mentioned above.

According to the attacker responsible for the data breach, he was able to make off with their entire IMEI history database dating back to 2004. In all the attacker claims to have made off with more than 106 GB worth of data and is actively seeking buyers.

According to the hacker the attack against T-Mobile was launched as an act of revenge against the US for the apprehension of another hacker named John Erin Binns in Germany in 2019. How much of this claim is true is unknown at this time.

If you're a T-Mobile subscriber there is nothing for you to do at present except to be mindful that large amounts of data may have been stolen. Keep a watchful eye on your accounts in the event that your customer record was compromised.

We can expect the company to make an additional announcement as their cybersecurity investigation reaches its conclusion. For the moment just be mindful of it and be aware that no company is too big or too small to be a target of relentless hackers. Your company could be next.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want to protect your company from various cybersecurity threats.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

3 Deadly Mistakes That You Make When You Use Technology Cheaply

SMBs, small and medium-sized businesses, have a difficult relationship with technology today - even though they may not be aware of it. SMBs are reacting to the changing marketplace, which is becoming more complex and faster. That's why managed IT services are important.

The most successful business owners today use ever-evolving technology to grab their customers' attention and imagination, convert them and manage their day with unparalleled ease and clarity. The Internet age is an exciting time to be in business. Every business has access to incredibly powerful technology that has changed the face of commerce.

This increased dependency on technology comes with a painful truth. IT can allow us to accomplish amazing things that we would never have thought possible 10 years ago. IT can be a dangerous, unstable, and finicky scaffolding on which we build our highest hopes and dreams. Even the most advanced IT needs to be shaped to our requirements and kept safe from outsiders.

Although technology is a major part of the business, most owners view it as an additional expense and not a core component of their business. They tend to skimp on managed IT services. However, being cheap can come with a price - one that is much higher and more costly than you realize.

 

These are the three biggest mistakes that you can make when you underspend on Managed IT Services.

 

1. Instead of building your technology budget around your actual requirements, you are spending technology on a poorly planned and unrealistic budget.

SMBs with limited resources can easily see saving money on hardware and software as a win. This leads businesses to choose outdated, inefficient, and expensive solutions. Cutting corners is not a wise choice in a world that the majority of your day-today operations are governed by your digital equipment, where small businesses are constantly at risk of cyber-attack, and where data is a valuable commodity that can disappear at the speed a failed backup,

Your investment in improving your digital strategy and strengthening your cyber security might not yield immediate, tangible returns. However, adequate managed IT services are an investment. You are investing in long-term productivity, security and efficiency for your business by using the most current technology.

2. This is a recipe for disaster.

It's one thing for a computer to suddenly fail, or for an Internet connection temporarily to go down. If you don't invest in technology, your business could be vulnerable to catastrophic events that could potentially cost you thousands. Cybercrime is one of the most prevalent and least understood of these threats.

The 2016 State of Cyber Security in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Report shows that half of all U.S. small business were victims to a cyber-attack in 2015. This number has been steadily increasing. Ransomware is the most common type of attack. This malware locks out entire systems and forces them to pay huge sums of money to retrieve it. Even if you think you are secure, there are still risks. Businesses can be shut down by server failures, system downtime and backup loss just like a hacker.

3. Your competition is winning.

It takes more than copying the latest strategies of thought leaders in your industry to outwit your competitors. This requires you to anticipate future trends and then act on them. You can always count on technology to bring about the future of your business.

Cloud services, new and constantly updating software, CRMs and a staggering array of productivity-enhancing tools are just a few of the advances your competitors are considering (if they haven't snatched them up already). Your company will be gone if you don't invest in the future.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need the help of IT professionals who can provide you with reliable and effective managed IT services.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence