Author Archives: Maria Koblish

In Part Three of our series, we help organizations identify why IT consulting services are an important part of the return to the office.

Over the past few months, we have seen a significant increase in assessment-related work that helps organizations understand their current state and specific needs, while identifying critical issues and building a strategic roadmap for the future. Much of our assessment work is focused on cyber security, helping businesses maintain a strong security posture in direct response to the increase in breaches and attacks over the last year.

Now, as organizations help employees safely return to the office while bolstering security around hybrid work, it’s worth considering an external, independent review by Thrive’s consulting team to ensure end users can work securely no matter their location. All businesses should have a formal security program which includes a long-term strategic plan that the entire organization understands and can implement appropriately.

“What Is Your Organization’s Cyber Security Posture?”

This is a pivotal question that we pose to every organization. If it can’t be answered immediately, or at minimum in some general context, it is an indicator of risk and that assessment should likely be considered in the near future. When a formal security program has not been developed and is not backed by a recognized security framework, it is difficult to successfully protect the organization from the harmful impacts of cyber threats. In the assessment phase, we use automated tools combined with Thrive’s qualified consultants to understand your current assets, infrastructure, and environment, in an effort to provide specific, prioritized recommendations for the future.

Ongoing validation and review of your cyber security program is critical, particularly as employees return to the office and new cyber threats appear almost daily. If you have adjusted to remote work, was that strategic, or were temporary solutions used without consideration for the long term? As some workers return to the office, it will once again be time to update your security program with specific consideration for mobile devices, and remote management of company assets.

Written policies and procedures are the foundation of every formal security program. This document should be comprehensive and align with the organization’s goals as well as with a recognized security framework. The need for the continual validation and testing of policies and procedures, including disaster recovery and incident response plans, cannot be emphasized enough. This testing leads to predictable recovery and response plans and best positions the organization to minimize the impacts of a security or other business impacting event.

The Benefits of Outsourcing IT

With nearly every business we engage, we often find there are missing key components or applications. The return to the office requires a review of the current technology stack, because no single tool will provide a solution for end users. A comprehensive approach includes multiple tools and processes, from backup and disaster recovery, to endpoint protection and beyond.

Beyond the initial assessment, it’s suggested that additional third-party assessments are performed at least every 36 months in addition to internal security review meetings that should take place at least quarterly. This ensures the environment remains scalable, reliable, and secure. With constant cyber security threats and vulnerabilities, any issue that leaves the door open for a hacker or breach can cause problems.

Having conducted many assessments, it’s clear that outsourcing management of risk-mitigating platforms to an experienced team like Thrive can benefit your organization. We will identify any potential issues and create the necessary roadmap that can be used by board members, CIOs, CTOs, and other members of the IT team.

Whether it’s a short or long-term IT project, our experts will ensure all of your strategic objectives are met, addressing gaps and providing comprehensive solutions and consultative services based on your needs. Get in touch with Thrive to learn more about our IT consulting services!

You hear about malicious websites leading to big problems. You may have even visited one, and you knew (immediately or eventually) that something was wrong. Hopefully, by then, you closed the tab or browser before things got bad.

So, how can you tell if a website is malicious?

Well, the bad guys are certainly making it challenging. Whether it’s an email, file, or website, malicious content is becoming more and more genuine-looking.

Here are three things to keep in mind when trying to determine if a website is malicious:

1. Odd URL

Is there something fishy about that web address? Are there slight variations (or even outright misspellings) of popular websites and brands? Is the URL very long, with weird words that have no relation to the website’s subject? If so, play it safe and back off.

2. No HTTPS

If a website is asking for sensitive information AND you don’t see HTTPS, then something is probably wrong. Most sites now use encryption, so seeing HTTPS in the address bar doesn’t necessarily mean a website is safe, because the bad guys are actually using it for malicious sites.

3. Annoying downloads and alerts

If you visit a site and are suddenly bombarded with prompts to download things, something is not right. These can be links to download bogus updates to your system, or a fake warning that you have a virus on your computer. You could even have a message saying you’ve won a fabulous prize. Don’t click on anything.

The Golden Rule of staying safe online is “Think Before You Click.” It’s an easy thing to do. And if you combine that healthy habit with the above tips, you’re bound to be safer when traveling along the (mostly) wonderful World Wide Web.

Doing online shopping? Check out these three simple-to-follow steps to start safe while shopping online.

Chances are, you’ve heard about Ransomware.

It’s been a menace to businesses the world over. Companies and organizations large and small have been affected.

The Thrive team has shared tips on staying safe from Ransomware over the years through our blog and social media channels. And, of course, we’ve helped our customers fight Ransomware on the front lines, and even recover their data after a ransomware attack.

There’s no question cyber attacks are continually on the rise. Even Warren Buffet chimed in, naming cyber threats the biggest problem with mankind.

The U.S. Government has certainly taken notice of Ransomware and other cyber threats. President Biden signed an executive order for strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity.

Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, stated that no company is safe from the threats.

Location and size of business have no bearing on whether you’ll be targeted.

Now, it is true larger organizations may have more valuable data – but their defenses are usually more robust. Smaller companies may not have the most attractive data or the biggest budget for paying for a ransom, but they may not have the strongest cybersecurity.

Bottom line: make cybersecurity and threat awareness a priority.

Stopping Ransomware with a new ransomware awareness resource

Stop Ransomware is an official website from the United States government that provides resources, news, and alerts concerning cybersecurity and Ransomware. There are even links for reporting ransomware incidents.

So, what is exactly is Ransomware?

From the Stop Ransomware website:

“Ransomware is a form of malware designed to encrypt files on a device, rendering any files and the systems that rely on them unusable. Malicious actors then demand ransom in exchange for decryption. StopRansomware.gov is the U.S. Government’s official one-stop location for resources to tackle Ransomware more effectively.”

Visit Stop Ransomware now at https://www.cisa.gov/stopransomware.

3 tips to keep safe from Ransomware

The Stop Ransomware website has plenty of tips and information to help you keep safe from Ransomware.

Here are three top tips to keep in mind:

1. Practice good cyber hygiene
Being vigilant and careful when online and in your inbox is a good foundation for keeping safe from Ransomware. Avoid risky emails and attachments, and don’t visit risky websites. Stay informed of the latest threats – and keep your staff in the loop, too! Human error can certainly be costly.

2. Keep it all patch
When your applications are updated, oftentimes, vulnerabilities are patched. This is the same for your operating systems. Thus, regular maintenance and updates are essential to your network and cybersecurity efforts.

3. Back it up!
Data backups are the ultimate last line in your network defenses. When all else fails, a good data backup can get you back to business. But, not all backups are the same. Off-site replication and image-based backups are two important considerations. Managed backups are also available.

Cybersecurity – it’s a big topic these days. Has been. And it’s not going to fade any time soon.

Cybercrime is rampant. You hear about it in the news. You may have a colleague or client who has been affected by it. You yourself may have been hit by a cyber attack.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which was started in October 2004, is an annual month dedicated to spreading awareness of cybercrime and cybersecurity. Knowing about the threats online and in your inbox can give you an advantage. Knowledge is certainly powerful.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is dedicated to ensuring everyone has this knowledge and the appropriate safety resources.

To kick the month off right, check out some potent ways to keep safe.

5 easy-to-follow tips for keeping your network and data safe

Who says powerful ways to keep your network secure have to be hard? Here are easy things to keep in mind when online or in your inbox.

1. Pay close attention to URLs and email addresses.

Scam addresses may look legitimate, but a closer look can reveal slight differences. A word may be misspelled or have a minor variation.

2. Watch out for texts and calls.

Scammers don’t just use email and malicious sites. They will send scam texts and call you, too. Always be vigilant, no matter what device you’re using.

3. Be careful with attachments.

Be very careful about email attachments, especially when it comes via an email that’s unsolicited. If you’re concerned about the contents, reach out to the sender via a new email to a confirmed address. You can also call directly.

4. Don’t use outdated and unsupported software

Ensure all software is patched and up-to-date. Patch management and automatic updates can help keep you secure.

5. Don’t make rash decisions.

This is one of the easiest tips to follow. You’ve probably noticed that a lot of malicious emails are threatening (you’re account will be deactivated unless…) or they want you to think you’ve won something fabulous (you’re the lucky winner of an iPad). Before clicking on that hyperlink, take a moment to think through things.

In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to ensure employees can access company resources in a timely manner. Meanwhile, businesses have a duty to protect every access point. By implementing Multi-Factor Authentication, organizations can put an authentication solution in place that only provides access to those who can verify their credentials.

If your organization is not currently using MFA, it’s time to consider the benefits of going beyond just a username and password.

Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication

With more employees than ever before working from home, increasingly unique issues are presenting themselves to IT teams everywhere. More applications and devices are in use, and the visibility into potential threats isn’t always clear, particularly when the end user may be on an unsecured home network.

When MFA is in place, even if an attacker gains access to credentials, they are unable to go any further without verification. Outdated hardware and manual authentication leaves employees frustrated and confused. Implementing MFA is easy, because users typically already have access to the tools needed to secure the access point.

Entering a username and password for an application or certain resource was, at one time, good enough. Now, with users logging in from anywhere, MFA can add that needed layer of extra security. Often when utilizing MFA, the username and password must be joined by a security code sent to a phone or e-mail address, or perhaps a fingerprint or scan of facial features. By verifying the user before providing access, organizations don’t have to rely solely on passwords, which can be susceptible to phishing, social engineering, and other related attacks.

Adding on MFA helps to protect access points, be it a VPN, SaaS app such as Office 365 or Salesforce, or other important business resource. There are even different MFA methods that can be implemented across the organization.

MFA: Finding the Best Fit for Your Organization 

Multi-factor authentication provides flexibility for employees, whether in the office or working remotely.

With two-factor authentication (2FA), a password is combined with another step, such as a passcode or a fingerprint swipe. While 2FA is a great starting place for many organizations, it can be limited; it may not fill the needs of users in different locations while taking into account the various personal devices in use.

Contextual authentication is another form of MFA. It takes into account various factors such as IP address, time of day, location, and device. For IT teams, it provides a better idea of log-ins, when they occur, and why they occur, so stronger MFA requirements can be put in place when needed. This kind of authentication learns patterns over time, so when a suspicious log-in is detected, an employee must authenticate to gain access.

There’s even the possibility of password-free authentication. At least two factors of authentication are required, but no password is entered. For instance, a passcode and a fingerprint is required for log-in. It’s still MFA, but makes things easier for the end user; they don’t have to remember a password.

From applications to devices to workstations, enabling MFA allows you to secure any log-in from anywhere. Thrive will help design MFA solutions that work for your needs, so the entire organization benefits.

Over the last few years, a big theme in technology has been, “this is the year that passwords die.” Then somehow, someway, they continue to be a part of our lives. Over time we have added in a few alternatives, and even added security on top of the password, but we haven’t killed the password outright. Below, you can learn why passwords are now considered weak, how password security has evolved, and why we’ve been holding on to the password for so long.

Why are Passwords Considered Weak?

Remember the good ole days when every password/code you used was a simple four-digit code or short word? As the years went on and hackers got more clever, password requirements increased too; more characters, upper and lowercase letters, and symbols. So, why did the original password end up failing? Simple, it was weak. Passwords like this were easily cracked by hackers looking to gain access to your personal or business information. Passwords rely on something the user knows, which in many cases means that hackers (given enough time) can know it too. Another reason passwords became a prime target is because once hackers got your password (and especially if you used that password across multiple applications), they had unfettered access to your account(s). Far too often, individuals use the same or similar password across dozens of accounts, making it easy for cybercriminals to gain access to sensitive information. Password reuse is common, though extremely risky. It’s so common because it’s easy, and because people tend to think that their information isn’t worth hacking (this is a fallacy, hackers will use or sell anyone’s passwords).

The Anti-Password Movement

The anti-password movement began once experts realized that the simple, everyday password just wasn’t working anymore. “They’re easy to steal, hard to remember, and managing them is tedious.” – Google. Passwords are inconvenient and create numerous ways for cybercriminals to acquire your data and begin profiting. The most common way hackers make money off this information is by selling it on the dark web for a quick buck. Before they do this, they attempt to drain every account of any monetary value by making purchases, stealing funds, liquidating gift cards, or taking personal info (Social Security Number, address, emails, etc.). There are even advanced attacks on logins that aim to shut down entire companies or initiate ransomware. The most known version of password hacking is credential stuffing, which takes advantage of reused credentials by automating login attempts against systems using known emails and password pairs. Once they have one login, they are guaranteed to get into other sites. At the root of all these problems lies a system that depends on authentication through a password which is why there are many experts part of the anti-password movement.

It’s Not Just a Password Anymore

We can’t rely solely on a 15-character password with a capitalized letter, special character, and a number anymore. No matter how “strong” you think your password is, it’s always vulnerable to attacks. So, what has been created in conjunction with, or instead of the password?

Multi-Factor Authentication:

A single password requirement to get into an account is called single-factor authentication. This form has been relied on for many years but is now outdated. A newly formed best practice is multi-factor authentication, where two or more of the following are required for account access:

• Something you know. This may be a password or PIN number.
• Something you have. This may be an HID card or a server-generated, one-time code given to a user (most of the time on their cellphone), that must be keyed into the device being accessed.
• Something you are. This consists of fingerprints, facial recognition, eye scans, and other biometrics.

It adds a second layer of complexity to log-in but provides another barrier of entry against ransomware and data thieves. This encourages them to move on to other, easier targets. While it’s not foolproof, it deters attackers to look for another option, potentially saving you from a disaster.

Passphrase:

A passphrase is a sentence-like thread of words used for authentication, instead of the traditional 8–16-character password. Its common characteristics include several random, common words, up to 100 characters in length. This may seem a bit intimidating, but passphrases are actually easier to remember since they don’t include character substitutions, capitalization, or numbers. A major benefit, aside from memorization, is actually the difficulty to hack. Since passphrases are several words long and could include an infinite amount of word combinations, it makes it extremely difficult for hackers to break into a system. Passphrases don’t have to be implemented throughout your whole organization; they can be used at any time if the account doesn’t have a password character limit. This is a cheaper and easier version to MFA, which could be helpful to smaller companies or individuals.

Is it Time to Retire the Password?

As popular as MFA and passphrases have become, neither are considered the perfect remedy for password security. The original computer password was invented back in 1960. It was doing great until the first known instances of “hacking” came about in the ’80s. Slowly but surely people began to realize that the password was not dependable by itself. Bill Gates said in 2004, “The password is dead.” So why is it that so many organizations are still using it even though we’ve created different options?

1. Scalable and affordable

Passwords require no charge because they only depend on a piece of information from the user. This is one of the main reasons many companies are holding on. Since it’s essentially free for both the user and company, it’s one of the only scalable authentication systems because it works for everyone.

2. User privacy

Privacy has been a major discussion the past couple of years, and different authentication systems have been part of the blame. From fingerprints to face IDs, users have been afraid that too much of their personally identifying information is getting out into the virtual world. Especially when biometric data is being held in data systems that could very well be hacked too. As long as the user doesn’t include their personal info, then passwords are one of the most private authenticators.

3. The first factor in MFA

Getting rid of the password all together may mean a reconfiguration of MFA as well. Since it is the first step in most MFAs, where you enter a password and then confirm again with something you have or something you are.

4. Replacement

Passwords are one of the only authenticators that can easily be replaced if a massive data breach occurs. For example, if an organization that uses biometrics gets hit, how is the user supposed to reset their face or fingerprint?

5. Change resistant users

One of the major factors are the organizations that fear the disruption and challenges that come with replacing the password completely. Since there isn’t a one-fix solution just yet, many leaders are skeptical to the idea that it will ever happen.

Even though the perfect solution hasn’t been created yet, doesn’t mean people aren’t trying. Very recently, companies have been taking on a new approach to MFA. They only use one factor, but it’s not a password. For example, Microsoft is now allowing users to log into accounts such as outlook with just a code sent to their device and no password. Maybe in the next few years with different methods continuing to be tested, we’ll finally say goodbye to our good friend, the password.

Tips to Keep Your Data Secure with Thrive

So, what do we do in the meantime while we’re waiting for the safest solution? For sites that still use SFA, be sure to choose a password with strength. It’s tempting to use one that you’ve used before in order to remember it, but in doing so you may release your sensitive information (you can see if your account information has already been compromised here). Other best practices include not allowing your computer to automatically save passwords, especially on work computers, and changing your password regularly.

Thrive has been a long-time advocate of organizations requiring frequent password changes and having a layered approach to security put in place. If you can, work with your service provider or technology team on setting up MFA for your organizations. This one step could mean the difference between getting hacked or not. Thrive partners with top security providers to bring our clients peace of mind. We can also help with managed threat detection and external vulnerability scans to stop cybercriminals before they can start. Contact us today for help with your data security needs.

While the idea of zero trust architecture has been present in our lives for over 10 years, the recent changes in how and where people work has increased the importance of the zero trust model.

With remote work, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, and employers giving employees more flexibility, the modern workforce is always on the go. However, this can also bring new cyber security risks that organizations must pay attention to. The zero trust security model was meant for this moment, to support remote and hybrid work environments and minimize cyber security risk.

CISOs understand that intellectual property, customer data, and other valuable information should be protected, while avoiding business system downtime and protecting key applications. Traditional security approaches have evolved, making the zero trust model a must-have for all organizations, regardless of size and scope.

Updating an Outdated Approach

The traditional cyber security approach assumes any device, user, or infrastructure that falls under the corporate network umbrella is safe and trustworthy. This is no longer the case. Applications have come out from behind the firewall, and end users can access data and information from a personal device through their own home network.

A conventional security approach could be thought of as a perimeter-based model. The IT team created a security perimeter that surrounded the network, important assets were protected, and hackers had a difficult time accessing the network, applications, or data. This approach unfortunately presents some issues.

It requires trust that the security perimeter is actually secure, including the end users. It also assumed a centralized on-premises network that wasn’t focused on a digital workspace or Cloud-based architecture that may include SaaS applications and programs.

The zero trust security method makes no exceptions, summarized as, “never trust, always verify.” Any user or IT resource must be properly verified prior to authentication to prevent unauthorized users or malicious actors from reaching the environment.

Implementing the Zero Trust Architecture 

While the idea of zero trust has been around for quite some time, it took a pandemic for many to understand the benefits. With a shift to Cloud computing and remote work, it has become clear that a zero trust architecture should be in place. Adoption can protect against top security issues – such as phishing attacks, malware, and data theft – by protecting users, their devices, and the applications they have access to.

With zero trust in place, a few important principles should be adhered to:

• All networks should be treated as untrusted. If the networks are untrusted, then the users should be, as well.
• End users should only have enough access to do their job, and access should be removed when it’s no longer required for the user.
• A verification method such as multi-factor authentication can ensure users are who they say they are.
• On the device front, access should only be granted to trusted devices, be it a personal or work laptop, desktop, mobile phone, or tablet. Devices must be checked at every access point, to ensure no risk is involved to the network.
• As for applications, with the rise of the Cloud, and the need to support in-house on physical infrastructure, access policies must be in place across the organization. These policies should consider the identity of the user, the location, and the device in use, so that access is only granted to those who need it.

With environments now mixing on-premise with multi-Cloud infrastructures and SaaS applications, it can leave entry points open for attackers to move easily within a network. Users are more susceptible than ever to phishing attacks and malware, something organizations must be aware of. Implementing a zero trust security model is a way forward in this new era of work. Contact Thrive to see how zero trust solutions provide flexibility and enhance the organizational cyber security posture.

IT lifecycle management enables businesses to plan, examine and budget for the replacement of outdated technology.

What Is IT Lifecycle Management, And Why Is It Relevant?

When purchasing one or more pieces of technology or equipment for your business, there is a time when they will become obsolete, slow, or fail to meet your needs. Maintaining or running ineffective technologies can be financially strenuous, especially when waiting for the system to break down. Hence, it is essential to incorporate the latest technologies to streamline various operations in your IT department, whether outsourcing or running IT in-house.

IT lifecycle management enables businesses to plan, examine and budget for the replacement of outdated technology. But what exactly is IT lifecycle management, and why is it valuable in modern business? Read on to find out.

What Is IT Lifecycle Management?

In a nutshell, the lifecycle of a piece of technology or equipment refers to the provision, through operations, to replace outdated systems. Each IT department’s IT system, workload, and resources have a life cycle. Hence, determining the duration of a reliable, efficient, and productive system is critical. Once this period elapses, it becomes difficult for the technology to provide the required services.

IT lifecycle management involves all the stages of Information Technology hardware, software, or infrastructure from purchasing to disposing of or replacing it. It lets businesses learn when to plan, budget, and buy new systems to phase out outdated technologies. Keeping track of different technologies facilitates infrastructure efficiency, mainly in today’s rapid digital changes. Hence, businesses using IT lifecycle management get proper system timing regarding when to purchase more efficient and the latest systems.

Generally, a sturdy IT lifecycle begins with strategic planning, considering how the new technology will operate, total operating costs, and lifespan. After purchasing and adopting new technology, most of its lifecycle is spent during use. This is the period when you get the most returns, experience the least downtime and minimal operating costs, keeping your IT department efficient and productive.

Some IT resources to consider in your lifecycle management plan are:

• Operating systems
• Mobile devices
• Desktop PCs
• Network hardware like routers and switches
• Servers
• Business-critical applications

IT Lifecycle Management Stages

• Planning: Before an existing asset reaches the end of its life, it is crucial to plan when to replace it. Waiting until the current system breaks down or becomes obsolete could incur high costs, affect productivity, cause security concerns and expose your IT department to compliance liabilities.
• Procurement: This is the actual stage of financing and purchasing new technologies. In this stage, it is essential to evaluate technology or equipment options before procuring and deploying them into your existing infrastructure.
• Deployment: Once you have received new technology or equipment, the next stage involves scheduling, testing, and configuring your infrastructure.
• Management: It is vital to monitor and maintain new technologies to avoid overrunning other assets in your infrastructure. This involves compliance, maintenance, financial and backup management, ensuring the equipment is efficient and operates as required.
• Decommissioning: When the system reaches the end of its life, decommissioning helps acquire new systems and resources to replace inefficient and outdated technologies.

Benefits of IT Lifecycle Management

With ever-evolving technology, your hardware and systems require regular updates, but it should be done correctly. IT lifecycle management ensures you get the right timing for decommissioning and deploying new technologies. Below are the critical benefits of IT lifecycle management:

Better Budgeting

Any successful business requires future expenditure planning to keep up with the competition and remain productive. And with IT being part of millions of modern businesses, hardware and software upgrades are necessary to streamline the IT department. IT lifecycle management provides practical ways to forecast technology needs in any IT infrastructure, crucial for budgeting and financial management. This ensures businesses save costs associated with upgrading systems, especially when decommissioning outdated hardware and software systems.

Minimize Unforeseen Downtime

Keeping track of technologies in your infrastructure allows you to gain insights into when to purchase and replace outdated hardware and software applications. This reduces unexpected infrastructure fails that would otherwise result in downtimes. IT lifecycle management ensures you replace your IT infrastructure before it fails, allowing employees to stay productive and generate more revenue.

Promote Infrastructure Security

Outdated systems are a significant target for malicious actors since they create vulnerabilities in your IT department. With sophisticated attacks used by hackers today, outdated technologies are unlikely to defend against these threats, making it easier for attackers to breach networks or access critical company data. IT lifecycle management lets businesses know the appropriate time to decommission outdated systems and replace them with secure, more efficient, and the latest technologies.

Informed Purchase Decision

Unplanned IT infrastructure fails can result in a business making swift decisions to replace or upgrade systems with the intent of mitigating downtime. Most businesses replace outdated systems with the same software or hardware type, although there are better alternatives on the market. IT lifecycle management ensures you have adequate time to research and consider highly efficient and cost-effective infrastructure. This enables you to make versed decisions and purchase the right technology ideal for your IT department.

Prevent Delays Associated with Outdated Software and Hardware

Slow networks, crashing software, and arduous workarounds are infrastructure challenges associated with outdated technologies that lead to lost productivity. Besides, it can cost you more money, especially when the underlying problem leads to additional problems. IT lifecycle management helps avoid working with outdated IT systems and networks, which can be slow and affect your productivity. This ensures employees have the right software and hardware necessary to accomplish core company objectives.

Bottom Line

Lacking an IT lifecycle management plan can be dangerous for modern businesses embracing the digital environment. Security breaches, affected productivity, and high operating costs are some challenges you may experience without monitoring the life cycle of your infrastructure. Although it is daunting to replace hardware and software applications, it is an effective way to remain competitive and achieve your business goals much faster.

At Thrive, we understand the value of upgrading and replacing outdated technologies in your infrastructure. Our IT experts can help you stay ahead and avoid issues associated with old and inefficient systems. To learn more about IT lifecycle management or to schedule an appointment with us, contact us today!

Have you ever wondered, “do I need a Managed Services Provider?”, “what does an MSP do?”, or “what benefits could one bring to my organization?” If so, then this is a great place to start. An MSP can bring great value to your organization, keeping your IT running effectively while removing the burden from your staff, allowing them to focus on more important projects. Before we go into the benefits of an MSP, we will cover what they are, if you need one, and how to identify a good partner.

What is a Managed Services Provider?

A Managed Services Provider is a partner who takes on the responsibility of managing your IT infrastructure. You delegate your operational and support duties to them, and they keep your infrastructure up-to-date and at peak performance.

To accomplish this, an MSP uses a variety of tools that automate daily maintenance tasks. They also remotely review system logs, automated alerts for equipment failures, and the thresholds that can cause stress on your systems. Whether it is improving efficiency by saving time and money, or catching problems before they occur to avoid costly disasters and repairs, a managed services provider can bring great value to your business.

Who Needs an MSP?

“Every business is different, and so are its needs.”

We’re going to be completely honest, as beneficial as MSP’s can be, not every organization needs one. Some organizations (especially those with large IT teams) can flourish without one by using a public cloud, or by managing their environment themselves. Although for others, specifically small and mid-sized organizations, MSP’s can offer the right partnership to secure their IT infrastructure.

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, you may be the right fit for a Managed Services Provider.

• Do you not have the time and/or resources to devote to your IT needs?
• Is the industry you’re in compliance-driven?
• Is the industry you’re in heavily targeted by cybercriminals?
• Do you struggle to keep up with the latest technologies?

What To Look For in an MSP

If you are looking for an MSP, here are seven questions to ask a potential partner.

1. How will you review my systems for errors and stresses?
2. How will you ensure my business remains operational in the event of a failure or disaster?
3. What level of expertise does your team provide its clients?
4. How can I refocus my existing IT personnel while you take over management of my infrastructure?
5. What tactics do you employ to ensure the security of your environment?
6. Do you provide offsite and onsite services?
7. How will documentation of your systems be shared?

5 Benefits of an MSP

1. Time & Money

Hiring, training, and maintaining a full IT staff that would meet organizational requirements just isn’t feasible for most small and mid-sized organizations due to a lack of time and/or budget. MSP’s give you access to a full team of experts, without having to pay their salary. Another benefit of an MSP is that they allow for your IT needs to be predictable and set into a budget so there are no surprise costs. And, to save your organization valuable time, MSP’s not only take on the monotonous IT tasks, but they also plan for automated maintenance and fast implementation of new services and updates. Additionally, they help protect you from experiencing expensive downtime, helping you recover quickly, and preventing as much significant loss as possible.

2. Compliance

Organizations that are bound by compliance regulations—like government agencies abiding by CJIS, and healthcare providers tied to HIPAA and HITECH legislation—can benefit from a reputable provider that offers protection, while keeping up with ever-evolving compliance laws so that internal attention can be focused on the bigger picture.

3. Security

Data breaches, power outages, even Mother Nature. There are many data destroyers looking to bring down your business. A good MSP will help you plan for the worst by protecting your data and ensuring that you can recover from a disruptive event. They will also help protect your network from cybercriminals and the ever-present threat of ransomware. Make sure that your plan includes regular security testing and monitoring. A reliable MSP will ensure overall business continuity throughout backup and recovery plans.

4. Focus on Your Business

An MSP enables you to outsource all of your IT support needs, freeing up valuable staff resources to focus on business objectives, rather than the tedious tasks that can eat away their time.

5. Peace of Mind

If you already have an existing IT staff, MSPs act as a 24x7x365 partner. If someone falls sick or goes on vacation, you know you’re covered. If you are starting from scratch with little-to-no IT staff, an MSP can be your IT staff, making sure that your support needs are met. Instead of putting all the pressure on your limited staff, you can have peace of mind knowing that there is a dedicated team of experts at your disposal. If or when disaster strikes, you never have to worry because you aren’t alone, you have a partner to guide you through it.

Thrive as Your Partner:

The right MSP can provide all the tools and services you need to keep your infrastructure in order. Think of them as an extension of your IT department, or for smaller organizations, you can consider using them as the IT Department, providing you with the expertise and resilience that your company is looking for. At Thrive, we ensure the availability of your core business applications, comprehensive visibility into your infrastructure no matter if on-premises or in the cloud, and we intercept problems before they cause disruptions. Looking to speak with a dedicated team of experts about Managed IT Services for your business? Contact Thrive today, or learn more about our offerings here.

What do you do with those servers and applications which either cannot, or you don’t want to migrate to a private or public cloud right now? It is highly likely they are sitting in a large comms room feeling pretty lonely with the rest of your infrastructure now having moved to the cloud.

This is likely to be creating a problem; not only are they taking up valuable real-estate that the business would love to repurpose, but also the cost of maintaining these on-premise in terms of power, cooling and management is now disproportional and uneconomic.

Does Colocation Provide The Solution?

Colocation is not new, in fact, many third-party data centres started their life as colocation services, providing a purpose-built facility to accommodate organisations looking to relocate their compute and storage infrastructure off-site.

As IT teams evolve their hybrid-clouds, the colocation option often gets forgotten, but if anything, the benefits it offers are stronger now than ever before:

Freeing-up Space – taking those final elements out of the now oversized comms room and freeing it up to be repurposed.

Reducing Operating Expense – removing the on-premises cost of power, cooling and security and gaining the economies of scale of a purpose-built and efficient data centre.

Reducing Environmental Impact – by moving to a facility that provides a greener option, leveraging efficiencies and sustainable resources to reduce your environmental impact.

Reduce Business Risk – by gaining the inherent resilience delivered by a professionally managed and operated data centre.

Selecting The Right Colocation Provider Is Critical

Colocation is only suitable if it meets your unique requirements and delivers the benefits that you need. Not all data centres nor providers are equal and as such, selecting the right partner with the most appropriate facility is essential. There are many factors that differentiate one provider from another, so you must ask yourself and them the right questions. We believe there are four critical areas where you need to do your due diligence.

(i) Operational & Commercial Flexibility

It is important that your Co-Lo provider meets your needs rather than you having to meet theirs. They should be able to accommodate the exceptions such as oversized racks or special power requirements.  They should offer contractual flexibility not lock you in beyond your needs, but more importantly, they need to value your custom and not push you to one size to accommodate that monster client looking to expand.

(ii) SLAs Are Important

Uptime, security and connectivity are as crucial in a Co-Lo facility as they are with a private cloud environment. You are looking to gain greater business continuity through moving to colocation and as such, you want someone who can guarantee 100% uptime, operates to a recognised standard such as ISO27001 and provides you with choice and resilience on connectivity.

(iii) It’s About More Than Just A Rack

You should be looking for a colocation that extends your facility and a partner that becomes a virtual part of your team. Having experts on-site around the clock to assist you avoids having your people go out to every incident, and ensuring the location is convenient and you have 24×7 access ensures that if you need to be on-site, you can be.

(iv) Colocation Is Part of Your Journey To The Cloud

You are likely to be utilising colocation as a step in your journey to the cloud and as such you should be looking for a partner that can assist you on this progression; a partner that can assist you with the migration of your on-premise infrastructure to Co-Lo, and then transition this to a public or private cloud infrastructure and provides you with additional value of bolt-on cloud services.

At Thrive we feel strongly about the value that a Colocation service should offer customers. We have been doing this for over a decade now and truly understand the importance of flexibility, reliability and service. Contact us today.