security

02/13/2017 By Jason Bean 8 Comments

4 Data Recovery Myths Debunked

We own so many different electronic devices that it is almost inevitable that one would break down at some point, yet we are always surprised when it happens. One of the worst devices to break is a computer, because it offers so many files and photos we will not want to lose – so the panic can set in if you have failed to back-up your files.

As soon as you spot the first sign of a hard drive failure, you might be tempted to go straight to a search engine to find a DIY data recovery solution; however, you will most likely come across a list of myths that could result in you permanently losing your data forever. To help you avoid making a big mistake, we are debunking the biggest data recovery myths online and, while you're here, recommend that people get help from it services whenever they run into problem with their computer that they know nothing about.

Myth 1.) The Freezer Mistake

Many DIY how-to guides will tell you to place a dead hard drive either in the freezer or microwave, but this is a big mistake. Hard drives are rather complex, so it is important to avoid making any physical alterations, from changing the temperature to hitting or shaking the device. Any physical damage could make it near impossible for the most talented data recovery expert to retrieve your files. Then if you are unsure about whether you are properly GDPR compliant then you should hire professional GDPR consultants who can look into that for you and make sure that you are completely covered.

Myth 2.) The Circuit Board Problem

You may have read that you can fix the problem yourself if you know how to swap the hard drive with the same model. While this might have been true for older hard drives, there are many more hard drive variations that make a direct swap with another model unlikely. You should therefore prevent wasting your time and data and visit a specialist to get data from a dead hard drive.

Myth 3.) The Download Disaster

You may come across a variety of DIY software programs online that claim they can wave their magic wand, claiming it can repair the file structure and recover the lost data. However, what many programs fail to tell you is that they will overwrite the original hard drive – so it will be impossible to recover the files, unfortunately.

It is up to you to decide whether you want to take your chances with a software program and, if you do, it is recommended you select a program that allows you to save a file so you have the option to undo the software actions, if necessary.

Myth 4.) The Hard Drive Inspection Problem

As your computer starts to experience hard drive failure, you might start to hear a clicking noise or may notice the spinning sounds have disappeared. The last thing you will want is for your computer to break on you, so you might be tempted to open the hard drive to resolve the problem yourself. Unfortunately, simply opening the hard drive could result in a much bigger problem: the loss of data. Hard drives have been intricately created by talented professionals in a clean room environment, so the tiniest speck of dusk could inflate a problem, because it could alter the manufacturing conditions.

So, if you have a hard drive issue, leave the computer alone and hand it to a professional for a better chance of recovering your data.

10/25/2016 By Shawna Bussa Leave a Comment

Your Company, Privacy, and You: What You Need to Know

Corporate Business Meeting

Being at the head of a company is a demanding position. The buck stops with you, which means you’re responsible for the well-being of both your customers and your employees. Privacy is a major concern as nearly all businesses have online components either in their marketing or sales departments.

As a leader, there’s a lot you can do to safeguard both your personal information and the information of those beneath you. Understand how to utilize technology on the ends of software and hardware can go a long way to this end as can being able to recognize and prevent criminal activity, particularly scams. Choosing the right VPN service for the needs you have is not easy. That's why I went online and founded this amazing https://internetetsecurite.fr/ VPN that can protect my personal information at all time.

If your company allows employees to use their own devices to access anything related to the company, you’ll want to start by helping them be safe, then it's also possible to use a different business address for your business if you'd like and you can choose a new postal address in London too so that looks brilliant. In addition, you may also need to invest in a data security and privacy service in charge of data protection of your company, you may consult professional data security companies like Saviynt Inc. for more info.

Securing Personal Devices

Businesses are increasingly relying on a “BYOD” (Bring Your Own Device) policy where workers are allowed to use their own PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones to get the job done. This is doubly true for remote businesses where workers don’t meet in a physical office. Remember to connect your internet privatsphare vpn on your devices to have access to every website worldwide. Other than that, you should also invest in security systems to avoid theft in the office.

Unfortunately, that means companies have a considerably less controlled environment than in the days of more traditional business. It means that a single compromised employee device could lead to fallout for everyone involved: the company, its customers and its staff.

To avoid this, consider investing in security software that all employees can access freely. That means purchasing corporate anti-virus packages and ensuring every employee is setup with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Chances are you’ve heard of or already use anti-virus software, but you may not be familiar with VPNs.

They help maintain the line of security by securing the internet connection of any device with the service installed and in use. A VPN allows the client to connect to an encrypted server where their internet traffic is safely routed away from the dangers hackers and other cybercriminals present. It can also be used to keep remote employees in the same virtual IP area as other devices will recognize the VPN’s address rather than the user’s device. When used creatively, this can help prevent scams. Combining the two services (cybersecurity software and a VPN) is the most effective passive method of avoiding data theft. Additionally, a good cyber security company will have the tools and the training to help you protect your computer system from hackers.

Providing Education and Training

Business Training Meeting

In any professional environment, it’s essential that members of your organization continue to learn new skills and perfect their education as time goes on. One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a company is keeping up with the latest scams criminals are using to rob businesses of their customers’ data. Don't forget how managed detection and response pricing is an important factor to consider when shopping for an MDR.

Companies such as Target are a good example of the major fallout that can occur when a data breach happens, but did you know such data breaches are often the result of user error? As we discussed above, employees frequently have access to company resources on devices other than those located in a central office. This is where scams can become a big problem.

When an employee is answering emails, reading the news or interacting on social media, scammers will frequently post enticing links, stories or other types of bait to lure their victims into downloading malware. Yet malware isn’t the only way criminals get their information.

Fake websites and links can convince even experienced internet users to hand over login information. Users that aren’t trained to be suspicious of and spot unusual activity can be caught off guard and cost your company greatly.

Teach your employees the value of strong passwords and of keeping their personal affairs as separate as possible from corporate affairs. Send out materials that show workers what fake emails and phishing websites look like. Dating may seem like a personal affair, but catfishing is another major scam that has been growing recently, and it can quickly boil over into something that negatively impacts your business.

The Consequences of Failure

Safeguarding your corporate accounts is obviously important, but exactly how important that is may not be so readily apparent. According to a recent study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, each instance of data loss can cost $150 per item. When you consider how many hundreds, if not thousands of customers your business is likely to deal with, the costs can become unmanageable very quickly. This is why you should invest in a certified data center.

Beyond the financial disaster that may very well send a company bottom up, the loss of public trust is enough to put both the business and its owners off the market in at least a semi-permanent way. Not only do customers lose faith in your business, but potential partners also lose faith in your management competency. The public might forget who was in charge, but other businesses will not when they look you up.

Whether your business is new or well established, you can’t take security seriously enough. As a final note, it pays to keep good records; keep backups (both hard and soft) of all company information, because if something ever does happen, you’ll be in considerably more trouble if you aren’t even able to account for what was stolen.

08/18/2016 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

Why a Server Room Can Be a Great Help for Businesses

If you operate a business that uses multiple computers, several different programs, and a whole host of networks then there’s a good chance that you understand what a server is; you’ll have been using them as part of your everyday operations for quite some time, in fact. For those in need of a refresher, it is a central computer program, or device, that allows other programs to access network resources and services with ease and efficiency; as the host, it manages these resources while additional programs, or clients, seek authorization. They are essential whenever you have more than one computer needing to access a network. Server rooms, then, are also a great help for businesses of every size.

What is A Server Room?

Also known as a communication, or comm room, it is a space dedicated to the housing, powering, and maintenance of servers. Its function is simple enough; to provide the operational and environmental requirements needed for them to run efficiently. The data, computing resources, and components used by many enterprises these days simply couldn’t be processed without them, which provide a constant stream of electrical power, as well as air-conditioning and lighting, to keep operations ticking over nicely. Just try and imagine what it would be like to be surrounded by the deafening drone all day and you’ll get some idea of why these rooms are so essential. The building, or department, in which these rooms are housed, is called a data center, and systems administrators usually oversee the daily operations of this dedicated space.

The Benefits

There are several reasons why a company may choose to have a dedicated room, including a need for control over network resources and multiple servers, and the convenience of keeping technology in one, restricted space. While the use of cloud-based data centers is gathering pace, comms rooms remain a staple for big businesses, enabling them to carefully monitor everything that goes on. These rooms are tailored to work for you, and will be designed with you company’s requirements in mind by the same company that will then be able to maintain and repair your comm room in the event of a problem. Such companies will become a lifeline for the heart of your business.

So, why do you need a room for them? Well, they can be of great help to businesses of all sizes, particularly those operating many networks and programs at any one time like batch data processing. For example, sole control of the room will fall upon your business. Systems can be expanded and modified as required, while security can also be customized to meet your needs; in short, it is whatever you need it to be, whenever you require its services. More than that, though, it offers convenience. It’s a dedicated space where your servers will reside, keeping office space free from additional equipment. These rooms can be designed to accommodate back-up systems too, which means that the effects of power failures and natural disasters can be avoided; your servers, and the data contained, will always be kept safe.

If you’re still unsure whether your business would benefit from a server room ask yourself this; how is your data currently stored? How do your computers and their programs access the network’s resources? In recent years increasing number of questions have been asked about the security of data once it leaves a company’s premises. You also want to make sure you don't make some of these mistakes when designing your data center. The room will keep your technology as close to your heart as can be, while handing control back to a team of your employees. If your office buzzes with the sound of servers, or swelters in unbearable heat during office hours, now is the time to explore the realities of creating one.