Author Archives: Sydney Pujadas

Traditional network and application access protocols operate under the premise that once a user is inside the system, they can maintain that access and use it to access other resources on the network. If this now sounds slightly naive as a cybersecurity approach, that’s because it is. Time after time, small breaches have turned into big breaches, all because systems assumed that because the user was inside the corporate network, they could be trusted.

The Zero Trust security model is an approach built around the principle of “never trust, always verify”. It can be a logical way to address the security shortcomings of legacy approaches, but it adds a layer of complexity to the already overburdened plates of corporate IT teams.

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Legal firms, like many other organizations, face a range of cybersecurity issues that stem from the increasing digitization of information and communication. An increase in remote work and reliance on the cloud and emerging technologies has led to a rise in cyber attacks and data breaches, putting confidential legal information at risk.

The increased threats to the IT infrastructure of legal firms has left the industry scrambling for a robust and effective solution to thwart bad actors. Legal firms’ ethical responsibility to maintain attorney-client privilege is at stake, which cyber criminals know and often use to their advantage when conducting ransomware, phishing, and other attacks that can get them access to the overwhelming amount of sensitive information that is housed within legal firms’ databases.

When reviewing your IT stack and ensuring that your cybersecurity posture is strong, it is important to be able to identify common terminology so you can better understand potential issues and what they mean. Building a solid knowledge base about your cybersecurity needs is just as important as having a strong cybersecurity plan in place. Below are the cybersecurity acronyms you should know:

• CNAPP – Cloud Native Application Protection Platform: Cloud Native Application Protection Platform refers to a security platform designed specifically for the protection of cloud-native applications. It addresses the unique security challenges posed by applications built using microservices and deployed in containerized environments. As more workloads move to the cloud, 2024 is the right time to develop a plan to implement more cloud-native security solutions.
• CSMA – Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture: A Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture can bridge critical gaps by integrating isolated solutions through two-way connections, pulling data into the mesh and enabling actions across a diverse array of tools including secure email gateways, endpoint detection and response systems, and SOAR and SIEM platforms. This is expected to be a key initiative in 2024 for many organizations who are trying to better leverage the tools they already have.
• CTEM – Continuous Threat Exposure Management: Threat Exposure Management involves identifying, assessing, and managing an organization’s exposure to cybersecurity threats. This includes evaluating vulnerabilities, understanding potential attack surfaces, and implementing measures to reduce the risk of exploitation. Recent advances in autonomous penetration testing have made the “Continuous” aspect of CTEM more feasible and will help proactively address and mitigate security risks.
• LLM – Large Language Models: Large language models refer to advanced artificial intelligence models that are designed to understand and generate human-like text on a large scale. These models are typically based on deep learning architectures, and they are trained on vast amounts of textual data to develop a broad understanding of language patterns, context, and semantics. Due to its wide availability online, cyber criminals often use LLM to launch fully automated cyberattacks that are presenting new threats to the cybersecurity landscape. This trend is expected to continue as the models become more and more powerful.
• MTTD – Mean Time to Detect: Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) is a key metric in cybersecurity that represents the average amount of time it takes for an organization to identify and recognize a security incident or a breach. It is a critical component of the overall incident response process and is often used to evaluate the efficiency of a cybersecurity program. “Detection Times” refers to the time it takes to detect and identify each individual security incident. The sum of these detection times is then divided by the total number of incidents to obtain the average. Typically, the lower the detection time, the better, as it indicates your organization is better equipped to respond to incidents and mitigate large amounts of downtime.
• SASE – Secure Access Service Edge: Secure Access Service Edge is a cybersecurity framework expected to see high interest in 2024 as remote work has taken off. SASE combines network security functions with WAN capabilities to support the dynamic, secure access needs of organizations. Networking and security services are delivered primarily from the cloud to provide secure access for users, regardless of their location.
• XDR – Extended Detection and Response: Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is a cybersecurity concept that goes beyond traditional endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions. XDR integrates and correlates data from various security tools and sources across an organization to provide a more comprehensive view of potential threats. It aims to improve threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities.
• ZTA –  Zero Trust Architecture: Zero Trust Architecture is a cybersecurity framework based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” With users and data residing almost anywhere, the old-fashioned perimeter security will be less relevant than ever in 2024. ZTA challenges the traditional model of trusting entities within a network perimeter and instead requires continuous verification of users, devices, and applications, regardless of their location or network status. 

With a cybersecurity landscape that is constantly evolving, staying updated on new acronyms and technologies is crucial. Working with a trusted, experienced managed IT service provider can help relieve the burden of having to constantly keep a pulse on new security trends and vernacular. Contact Thrive today to learn more about how our experts can help you keep up with your cybersecurity needs and stay on top of the latest regulatory changes and technologies needed in your IT stack.

Traditionally, businesses have managed their IT infrastructure in-house, investing heavily in cybersecurity measures and talent. However, the rapid pace of technological advancements, the shortage of trained workers, the burden of regulatory compliance, and the complexity of cybersecurity threats have made it challenging for organizations to keep up. This is where outsourcing IT services enters the picture as a strategic security advantage.

Specialized Expertise

One of the primary benefits of outsourcing IT is being able to confidently hand off critical IT work and maintenance to a pool of specialized experts across industries. IT service providers, like Thrive, are equipped with highly skilled, certified professionals who are well-versed in the latest cybersecurity trends, technologies, and best practices to take on the work your business needs. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that may be challenging for an in-house team to match.

Outsourcing allows businesses to tap into a diverse set of skills, covering cybersecurity areas such as network security, threat intelligence, autonomous penetration testing, and incident response, as well as other technology services like disaster recovery, cloud computing, and collaboration. This specialization ensures that organizations have a robust and up-to-date IT defense.

Proactive Monitoring and Threat Detection

IT service providers often use advanced monitoring tools and technologies that enable proactive threat detection. Continuous monitoring of network activities, endpoint devices, and system logs allows for the early identification of suspicious behavior or potential security incidents.

By leveraging sophisticated threat detection systems inside of 24x7x365 global security operations centers, managed security service providers can swiftly respond to emerging threats and mitigate risks before they escalate. This proactive approach is a significant departure from the reactive strategies often associated with in-house IT teams.

Cost-Efficiency and Scalability

Another benefit of outsourcing cybersecurity to an IT service provider is that it can be a cost-effective solution for businesses, especially smaller ones with budget constraints. Rather than investing resources in the recruitment, training, and retention of an in-house cybersecurity team, outsourcing allows organizations to pay for the services they need, when they need them. This scalability ensures businesses can adapt to evolving cybersecurity requirements without unnecessary overhead.

Enhanced Focus on Core Competencies

Lastly, by outsourcing certain IT functions, organizations can redirect their internal technical resources so they can focus on operational excellence instead of putting out fires. Rather than dividing attention between managing IT infrastructure and concentrating on business growth, team members can focus on strategic objectives that make a bottom-line impact for the company.

As cyber threats become more sophisticated and prevalent, businesses must adopt a proactive and strategic approach to cybersecurity. With Thrive as your outsourced IT partner, businesses have access to specialized expertise, proactive monitoring, cost-efficiency, and the ability to focus on core competencies. Contact Thrive today to learn about how their services and platforms enable businesses to build a robust defense against cyber threats while staying agile and competitive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

In today’s changing digital landscape, cybersecurity has become a pivotal aspect of due diligence in private equity (PE) transactions. With the growing threat of cyberattacks, integrating robust cybersecurity assessments into the due diligence process has become a necessity for safeguarding investments and ensuring the long-term viability of businesses. 

Private equity firms have increasingly recognized the criticality of cybersecurity due diligence in their deal-making processes. By recognizing and understanding the potential risks associated with a weak cybersecurity framework in target companies, PE investors are now more vigilant about incorporating thorough cybersecurity evaluations of a company.

The financial, reputational, and operational damage that results from cyber incidents is staggering. According to a report from Accenture, the average ransom paid for

mid-sized companies under attack was over $1 million. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, cybersecurity incidents can not only affect a company’s financial standing but also significantly affect consumer trust and overall brand value.

Key Components of Cybersecurity Due Diligence

A comprehensive cybersecurity due diligence process involves implementing a multifaceted approach. It covers various elements, including but not limited to:

• Cyber Risk Assessment: Analyzing the target company’s current cybersecurity infrastructure, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and evaluating the effectiveness of its existing security protocols. Assessments can proactively uncover evidence of previous breach activity increasing overall investment risk and identifying liabilities that may otherwise go unnoticed.
• Regulatory Compliance Check: Ensuring the target company complies with relevant data protection laws and industry-specific regulations, such as HIPAA, SOX, SOC 2, PCI DSS or other industry-specific cybersecurity standards.
• Incident Response Planning: Reviewing the company’s incident response plans and assessing its readiness to mitigate and manage cyber threats.

Integration into the Due Diligence Process

Integrating cybersecurity due diligence into the broader due diligence process is crucial for PE firms to safeguard their data and continue to focus on the financial side of their business. It necessitates collaboration between deal teams, cybersecurity experts, and a firm’s legal counsel.

Incorporating cybersecurity risk assessments at the early stages of deal evaluation also allows investors to make informed decisions. Understanding a company’s cybersecurity risks can influence the valuation, and also aid in formulating post-investment strategies to fortify the target company’s security infrastructure.

Thrive’s tailored managed IT services for PE firms cover all aspects of technical strategy and regulatory compliance. By leveraging our industry insights and robust support, Thrive empowers financial companies to navigate the ever-evolving IT landscape with confidence. 

PE firms that embed robust cybersecurity assessments within their due diligence processes are better equipped to navigate the complex cyber threats that businesses face today. Thrive’s team can help you protect your business by uncovering IT vulnerabilities and delivering unmatched insight into the potential risks present in your mission-critical business infrastructure.

Contact Thrive today to learn more about how we can help integrate a robust cybersecurity posture into your PE deals and beyond.

The advent of cloud computing revolutionized the way businesses manage and store their data. Private Clouds have emerged as a solution for organizations who are unable to utilize the public Cloud, offering numerous benefits that cater to the unique needs of businesses.

Enhanced Security and Compliance

One of the greatest advantages of a private Cloud is heightened security and compliance. In a private Cloud environment, all resources and infrastructure are dedicated solely to your business and its needs. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches to your system. Companies may implement customized security measures, stringent access controls, and encryption protocols to further protect sensitive data and adhere to their industry-specific compliance requirements.

For those in regulated industries, such as healthcare, finance, or government, remaining in compliance with laws and regulations such as HIPAA, SOX, SOC 2, or PCI DSS is critical. A private Cloud offers a secure platform to ensure compliance with these stringent standards, giving organizations peace of mind.

Customized and Scalable Solutions

Private Clouds can provide flexibility to tailor infrastructure and services based on your business’s specific needs. You have control over resource allocation, storage capacity, and network configurations, allowing for a customized setup that aligns with your business requirements. As your business fluctuates in demand, you can easily scale up or down to accommodate changing workloads, ensuring optimal performance at all times.

Scalability is especially crucial for businesses with unpredictable or agile IT needs, enabling them to quickly adapt without the constraints often associated with public Cloud environments.

Increased Performance and Reliability

In a private Cloud, resources are dedicated solely to your organization, ensuring consistent performance levels. A private Cloud eliminates competing for resources with other tenants, as is often the case in public Clouds. 

Furthermore, a private Cloud typically operates within a company’s on-premises data center or in a dedicated hosting environment. This ensures low network latency and high-speed connectivity, further boosting performance and responsiveness.

Data Privacy and Control

For many businesses, maintaining control over data is a top priority. With a private Cloud, you retain complete control over your organization’s data, its storage, and its processing. This control is vital for sensitive data or intellectual property that cannot be entrusted to third-party providers in a public Cloud setting, or has to meet specific data residency requirements

Private Clouds offer a level of data privacy that’s unparalleled. You can determine the location of your data, how it’s managed, and who has access to it, giving you the confidence to manage critical business operations securely.

Thrive’s NextGen Cloud Services are the perfect match for organizations looking to optimize their resources, workloads, and storage while leveraging the benefits of the Secure-ThriveCloud experience. Thrive’s Cloud engineering team is able to design, build, migrate, and support the Cloud solution that best meets your business needs. We assess your needs, looking at performance, cost, security, and flexibility to determine where your business workloads best belong. Additionally, by leveraging the benefits of Thrive’s Cloud, businesses can effectively manage their operations while maintaining compliance with industry regulations. Whether you’re a large enterprise or a growing business, the advantages of Thrive’s Cloud services can significantly impact your organization’s success and future growth. Contact Thrive today to learn more.

In the agile landscape of finance, a new breed of financial institutions are at the helm—digital-only banks. Digital-only banks operate exclusively online, leveraging advanced technologies and the cloud to deliver a seamless, efficient, and convenient banking experience for consumers. These types of banks set themselves apart with their stringent focus on cybersecurity to ensure the safety of their sensitive data and information as well as their customer’s.

The Cloud Is King

At the center of digital-only banks’ operations lies advanced Cloud technology. The Cloud serves as the backbone for their entire infrastructure, enabling the storage, processing, and accessibility of vast amounts of data, all in real-time. It offers them several advantages, including:

• Scalability and Flexibility: The Cloud allows digital-only banks to seamlessly scale their operations based on consumer demand. As their customer base grows, they can effortlessly expand their infrastructure and accommodate increased data storage and additional processing needs.
• Cost-Efficiency: Operating in the Cloud eliminates the need for significant overhead and upfront investments toward physical infrastructure. Digital banks can optimize costs by paying only for resources as they are consumed, making them highly cost-effective.
• Enhanced Performance: Cloud platforms can provide high-speed processing capabilities, ensuring that transactions and other banking operations are executed swiftly to deliver an optimal customer experience.

Prioritizing Cybersecurity

For digital-only banks, safeguarding data and mitigating risks against cyber attacks is paramount. These banks employ a robust set of cybersecurity measures to protect their data and their customers’ data. Key cybersecurity practices digital-only banks typically use include:

• Encryption & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): All data exchanged between users and the bank’s servers is encrypted, making it unreadable and unusable to unauthorized individuals trying to steal data. Additionally, MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring all users with access to the banks’ internal system to authenticate their identity through multiple factors, such as passwords, biometrics, or one-time passcodes, enhancing protection against unauthorized access.
• Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection: Advanced monitoring systems are employed to constantly analyze network traffic and detect unusual activities that may pose a security threat. Automated alerts and real-time responses aid in quickly addressing any suspicious activities.
• Security Audits: Digital-only banks also conduct regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in their systems. These audits help to address security concerns and enable them to stay ahead of evolving threats.
• Employee Training and Awareness: Employees are regularly educated about cybersecurity best practices and are kept up-to-date on the latest threats. Training includes identifying phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics.

The Perfect Partnership

Digital-only banks are playing an increasingly significant role in the financial industry. As they continue to innovate and grow, they need an expert partner to rely on that is agile and reliable. Thrive’s team of dedicated experts can help these banks continuously monitor for threats and vulnerabilities, 24/7. Additionally, these banks can take advantage of Thrive’s secure Cloud solutions, which can enable them to complete data transfers and transactions at lightning speed and store sensitive customer data safely.  

Contact Thrive to learn more about how we can transform the security and storage infrastructure of your digital-only bank, today. 

Since 2004, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has declared the month of October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. To celebrate its 20th year of bringing awareness to the importance of Cybersecurity, both in the private and public sector, this year’s theme is: Secure Our World. This theme is aimed to reflect a new enduring message to be integrated across the CISA awareness campaigns and programs, encouraging all of us to take action each day to protect ourselves when online or using connected devices.

To empower private citizens to improve their Cybersecurity, the CISA has highlighted four easy steps to improve Cybersecurity. They are:

✅ Use Strong Passwords

✅ Turn on MFA

✅ Recognize & Report Phishing

✅ Update Software

With the rise in Cybersecurity attacks, it is imperative that we implement Cybersecurity basics in our everyday lives, both personally and professionally. Implementing these basics will put you and your organization on the right path to safeguarding your data and other private information.

At the heart of this Cybersecurity awareness campaign is the collaboration between parties to holistically secure information and maintain safe technology practices. Collaboration is one of Thrive’s core philosophies, and why Thrive works diligently to provide expert services to all of its clients. Ensuring that your organization’s sensitive information is secure with our 24/7 monitoring and proactive risk management, can allow you to rest easy and feel good about your IT security.

Thrive’s team of industry experts work with your organization to not just secure your tech stack, but also to continuously train your employees and in-house IT professionals on how to prevent Cybersecurity attacks and be a collaborative partner for your organization. 

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, contact Thrive to learn more about how we can work together to combat Cybersecurity attacks and raise awareness on best practices in your organization.

Keeping your school and students safe from cyber attacks has become increasingly difficult due to the growing prevalence of technology in schools, as well as the rise of virtual schooling. Having a secure IT infrastructure in place can ensure that no matter where students are, they are able to access a safe and secure network. Below are the top cyber threats schools are facing today:

Phishing and Social Engineering

Phishing involves tricking students into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or personal data. Social engineering manipulates them into divulging confidential information or performing certain actions that may leave them vulnerable. 60% of educational institutions reported phishing attacks, according to this 2021 Cloud Data Security Report. Attackers often target school staff or students, posing as trustworthy entities to deceive them and gain access to their private information.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts files and demands a ransom for their decryption. Schools are the number 2 top target for these types of attacks because they often lack a robust cybersecurity infrastructure, making them vulnerable to bad actors. Ransomware can disrupt school operations, compromise sensitive data, and hinder the learning process.

Insufficient Data Security

Schools collect and store a significant amount of sensitive information about their students, their families, and staff. Inadequate data security measures can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential identity theft.

Insecure Wi-Fi Networks

Insecure Wi-Fi networks can provide opportunities for unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive information, eavesdrop on communications, or conduct other malicious activities, leading to security breaches and data leaks.

Inadequate Staff and Student Training

Insufficient training on cybersecurity best practices for both staff and students can increase the risk of falling victim to cyber threats like phishing and social engineering, leaving theirs and other students’ data exposed.

Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats at Your School

To prevent these cybersecurity threats, school districts need to invest in a cybersecurity stack that works hard to protect their community, without breaking tight budgets. Outsourcing to an experienced education MSP, like Thrive, will ensure that all your IT needs are met. Thrive’s team of experts is able to provide 24/7 monitoring to mitigate any cyber attacks that may ensue. They are also well-versed in designing and implementing Cloud and collaboration solutions that can help modernize schools. Contact Thrive today to learn more about how you can help keep your school safe, today.

Maintaining your students’ data privacy and keeping your own records secure should be at the top of your checklist for this school year. Educational institutions are a prime target for cyber attacks, with 2,691 data breaches, affecting nearly 32 million records, and should be prepared to mitigate any risks from bad actors and maintain compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

What is FERPA and Why Does it Matter?

FERPA is a federal law in the United States that was enacted in 1974 to protect the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, which includes most public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

The main purpose of FERPA is to give parents and eligible students – students who are 18 years or older or attending a post-secondary institution – certain rights regarding the privacy of their educational records.

FERPA is important in maintaining the confidentiality of educational records and ensuring that students’ privacy is respected and safe. Ensuring the confidentiality of your student records in a landscape where attacks are a constant threat should be top-of-mind for any IT department. Thrive offers cybersecurity services tailored to fit the needs of schools and their staff and students. Thrive’s Managed Endpoint Security and Response service, powered by Fortinet’s EDR platform, provides real-time security with incident response capabilities.

Beyond data breaches from cyber criminals, Thrive’s managed IT services can help schools maintain FERPA compliance and safeguard against:

• Third-Party Risks: Educational institutions will often use third-party services or vendors for various purposes, such as cloud storage or educational software. If these third parties don’t adequately secure the data they’re handling, it can expose student information to potential breaches.
• Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals may target school employees or students with phishing emails to trick them into revealing sensitive information. This includes login credentials or other personal data that could compromise FERPA compliance.
• Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware attacks from bad actors can lock whole school districts out of their own systems and data until a ransom is paid. This can greatly disrupt operations and potentially expose student records.

Thrive understands the evolving needs of students, educators, and parents. Our goal is to make sure the right tools and processes are in place so all parties involved are set up to succeed. Being prepared for the school year will help keep your students’ data safe and focused on learning and growing in the new year. Contact Thrive to learn how we can help you keep your education environment secure.