Spring Cleaning is part of Cyber Security Best Practices

Client Cyber Security advice #3

Dear valued clients and parnters,

As your IT company, it is our honor to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of your network. In order to achieve this, we recommend that you schedule time to review and delete any old apps, programs, or files that are deemed unnecessary for business use.*1 For the best cyber security practices SofTouch Systems suggests at the very minimum quarterly clean ups but considering the amount of time it takes to detect a security breach, review as often as possible.

These unnecessary files take up space on your hard drive, slowing down your systems and potentially causing issues with different hardware or software over time. By regularly reviewing and removing unnecessary files, you can improve the performance of your systems, as well as ensure that important files are easily accessible.

Do you know how to clean your PC?

Also, keeping your systems free of unnecessary files will also improve your networks cyber security. Old programs and files that are no longer supported or updated can be a security risk, because they most likely will not have the latest security updates. So, deleting these files, you can reduce the risk of cyber attacks and data breaches. In 2022, 22 Billion records were exposed and the costs accrued from those beaches are expecting to be an upwards of 40B worldwide.

Only .05% of cyber criminals are caught

Per AP News “The FBI, CISA, and the DHHS have seized the website of a prolific ransomware gang that has heavily targeted hospitals and other health care providers. The website of the group, known as “Hive”, was offline Thursday. It was not immediately clear how the seizure, disclosed in a take-down notice on the gang’s dark-web web page, will affect its long-term operations.

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Last year said Hive ransomware actors victimized over 1,300 companies worldwide, receiving approximately $100M in ransom payments. The ransomware gang targeted a wide range of businesses and critical infrastructure sectors. Their attacks included government facilities, critical manufacturing companies, but leaned heavily towards health care and public health.” (The largest generation is the one going out the door now, the boomers. The healthcare industry as a whole will be a very, very big target over the next 20 years.)

“The cost of a breach in the healthcare industry went up 42% since 2020. For the 12th year in a row, healthcare had the highest average data breach cost of any industry.”

IBM

We understand that reviewing and deleting unnecessary files can be time-consuming, but it is a necessary task to ensure the optimal performance and best cyber security for your networks. And spring cleaning isn’t just for your home, your files need it too. So, if you need assistance or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your support team.

Thank you for your continued business. We appreciate your efforts in maintaining the security of your systems.

Sincerely, SofTouch Systems

1* All client and partner accounts will have this customer service option included in your service plans.

How to Calculate the ROI in Cyber Security

As a business owner, it’s important to make informed decisions about your IT infrastructure and the services you use to support it. One key aspect of this is understanding how to calculate the return on investment (ROI) of different IT solutions, including cyber security and managed service providers (MSPs).

Cost vs Return the ROI Algorithm

To calculate the ROI of cyber security, start by identifying the costs of implementing and maintaining a security solution. This might include the cost of software and hardware, as well as ongoing maintenance and support. Next, consider the potential costs of a security breach. This could include lost revenue from business disruptions, damage to your company’s reputation, and the cost of restoring lost or stolen data.

Calculating ROI is as Simple as

It’s important to consider the cost savings that can be achieved by implementing cyber security solutions to prevent breaches, in addition to the costs of the breaches themselves. This can include the cost savings from increased productivity and reduced employee turnover due to the better protection of their personal and business information. Additionally, many industries have compliance regulations that require businesses to have certain levels of security in place.

The share of breaches caused by ransomware grew 41% in the last year and took 49 days longer than average to identify and contain. Additionally, destructive attacks increased in cost by over USD 430,000.

IBM.com

Another important consideration is the return on investment of IT infrastructure and MSP services. To calculate the ROI of IT infrastructure, consider the costs of equipment and software, as well as the costs of maintaining and upgrading that infrastructure over time. Then, consider the potential benefits of having a reliable and efficient IT infrastructure, such as increased productivity, improved customer service, and the ability to scale your business as needed.

Managed service providers (MSPs) offer a range of IT services, including network support, data backup and recovery, and help-desk support. These services can help small businesses keep their IT infrastructure running smoothly and improve their overall cyber security posture. To calculate the ROI of MSP services, consider the costs of the services, as well as the potential benefits in terms of increased productivity, improved security, and reduced downtime.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Ben Franklin

It’s also important to consider the value of proactively addressing potential issues before they occur, rather than reacting. Investing in regular system maintenance and monitoring through an MSP can prevent costly downtime and loss of data.

When it comes to calculating ROI, businesses also have to consider the intangible benefits of investing in cyber security. For example, peace of mind knowing that your data is protected and that you have support to address issues 24/7/365. Additionally, having robust cyber security and IT infrastructure can help attract and retain customers. Because they know that their personal and business information is in safe hands.

Balance is key to Maximizing ROI of IT

STS understands the importance of returns and are committed to helping clients make informed decisions concerning IT infrastructure. STS will work with your business to assess your needs and provide customized solutions that deliver the best possible ROI. STS offers a wide range of IT services, including network support, data backup and recovery, and help-desk support. We can also help you implement and maintain a robust cyber security strategy tailored to your specific businesses needs.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact us today and let us help you achieve the best ROI for your IT investments.

7 Keys to IT Security for 2023

Implementing various safeguards to defend an organization’s data, systems, and networks from online attacks is part of good IT security. Top components of effective IT security include:

  1. Strong passwords: Having strong, one-of-a-kind passwords for each account helps to prevent illegal access.
  2. Firewalls and other network security measures should be put in place to protect against external threats like malware and hacking.
  3. Data encryption: Even if sensitive information is lost or corrupted, encryption can help prevent unwanted access to it.
  4. Access control: Making use of tools like user permissions and two-factor authentication can help guarantee that only authorized users have access to sensitive information and systems.
  5. Patch management: Updating and patching software on a regular basis assists in fixing vulnerabilities and preventing their exploitation.
  6. Threat detection and response: Implementing systems that can detect and respond to threats in real-time helps to protect against cyber attacks.
  7. Employee training: Providing employees with training on how to identify and prevent cyber threats helps to ensure that they are aware of the risks and know how to protect themselves and the organization.

Overall, good IT security requires a holistic approach that takes into account the various ways in which an organization’s systems and data can be compromised, and implements measures to mitigate those risks.