Author Archives: Sydney Pujadas

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.

Optimizing and managing an agile portfolio strategy should be top of mind for hedge fund managers. Ensuring that your company’s IT infrastructure keeps you in compliance with the various regulations that hedge funds face is also a priority – allowing you to stay on track with supporting your investment goals.

While it may seem like a stretch that your choice in technology can directly affect your investment performance, the rising use of technology to allow funds to quickly adapt to the changing markets, employ high-frequency trades (HFTs), and implement automation tools that can be used for a myriad of reasons. Technology automation can also help reduce overall operational costs, enhance scalability of a fund, and improve overall fund performance.

Traditional financial models are still at the core of many hedge funds, but the use of technology should not be ignored. Building a robust tech stack can not only help your fund stay secure and compliant, but also stay competitive with other funds by shaving tenths of a second off lucrative trades and other strategic moves that can make you and your clients more profitable. Thrive offers a hedge fund-focused IT approach that takes advantage of its Hybrid Cloud, allowing funds to rapidly access information while maintaining regulatory compliance to ensure all trades and other financial strategies are done properly. 

Another critical aspect of building a successful IT stack is having 24/7 support to mitigate risk and ensure agility against bad actors trying to breach your network. Making sure that your clients’ data and your trade secrets are safe is critical for the continued success of your fund. Data leaks open a fund up to regulatory infractions, massive fines, and other potential consequences that can cost a lot of time and money to clean up. Allocating resources to a disaster recovery plan helps minimize data loss and provides fast, automated recovery of critical systems for protection against events that can devastate normal business operations while meeting challenging Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). 

Take your tech stack to the next level and ensure your regulatory compliance with Thrive today. Thrive provides managed IT services with 24/7 operators, so you don’t have to worry about potential threats and data breaches. Contact Thrive to learn more about how you can improve your hedge fund’s tech stack. 

Ensuring that your business is safeguarded from cyber attacks and maintaining regulatory compliance is an ongoing process for business leaders and IT specialists. Making sure your business has a well thought out plan of attack for when breaches arise, and a strategy for risk mitigation that is easily adaptable to the agile landscape of cybersecurity compliance, will put your business in a strong position against data breaches. Furthermore, understanding which regulations are applicable to your organization is a significant first step, as this will form the foundation of your compliance efforts.

Depending on your industry and geographical location, you may need to comply with various regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and more. Understanding which regulations are applicable to your organization is a significant first step, as this will form the foundation of your compliance efforts.

Conduct a Comprehensive Risk Assessment

The first step towards cybersecurity compliance is to conduct a thorough risk assessment. This involves identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats within your business’s infrastructure, applications, processes, and data management practices. Understanding your risks will allow you to prioritize your efforts and allocate resources effectively. A risk assessment also helps in tailoring your compliance strategy to address your organization’s unique needs.

Implement a Robust Cybersecurity Framework

A resilient cybersecurity framework can act as a foundation for your compliance journey. Consider adopting an established framework, like the CIS Critical Security Controls Implementation Group 2 that we leverage at Thrive. A framework helps provide a structured approach to implementing cybersecurity controls and best practices, helping you establish a strong foundation for your IT infrastructure and compliance. These frameworks also provide guidance to achieving a comprehensive approach to addressing the many facets of cyber risk.

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

Cybersecurity compliance is a fast-changing and evolving process. Implementing continuous monitoring practices helps your business detect and respond to emerging threats in real time. Regularly assess and update your security measures to align with the evolving threat landscape and changing compliance requirements.

Leverage Technology Solutions

Technology can be a powerful tool in your IT toolbox to help achieve compliance. Investing in cybersecurity tools, such as intrusion detection systems, firewall solutions, security information and event management (SIEM) platforms, and vulnerability assessment tools can help you build out a robust cybersecurity framework. These technologies can help automate security tasks, provide visibility into your network, and facilitate compliance reporting.

Employee Training and Awareness

Human error remains one of the biggest cybersecurity risks. Conducting regular training sessions to educate your employees about cybersecurity best practices, data handling procedures, and the potential consequences of non-compliance will help mitigate haphazard risk. When your entire team is aligned with the importance of cybersecurity, the compliance journey becomes smoother and more efficient.

Achieving cybersecurity compliance is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a crucial step in protecting your business and its stakeholders. Conducting thorough risk assessments, adopting a robust framework, continually monitoring for risk, leveraging technology solutions, and investing in employee training, can help streamline your journey to cybersecurity compliance. Thrive’s IT Compliance and Regulatory Consulting Services can help you reach and maintain these compliance goals with ease. Remember, staying proactive and adaptive is key to maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture.

Taking control of your IT infrastructure and ensuring that it has a strong foundation can be hard to get started. Making sure that your organization’s data and systems are protected from cybersecurity threats requires thoughtful planning and consideration. 

To get started on locking down your data and securing your organization, here’s a cybersecurity checklist to ensure control of your IT stack:

1. Perform a Risk Assessment: Identify and evaluate potential security risks in your organization. Understand the critical assets, vulnerabilities, and the potential business impact of security incidents.
2. Create a Sound Security Policy: Develop a comprehensive security policy that outlines the rules, guidelines, and procedures for securing your organization’s data and other information. This policy should be regularly communicated to all employees and stakeholders.
3. Inventory and Regularly Update Your Software: Document all software and applications in your organization and keep them up-to-date with the latest security patches and version updates to protect against known vulnerabilities.
4. Use Strong Passwords and Setup a Strong Network Security System: Enforce the use of strong, complex passwords and encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible. Set up firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS/IPS) to monitor and protect your network from unauthorized access. Consider Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for remote employees.
5. Train Your Employees: Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training for all employees so they are educated about the latest threats and best practices for online security.
6. Monitor and Conduct Security Audits: Set up monitoring and auditing tools to detect and investigate any suspicious activities on your network and systems. Also, conduct periodic security audits to assess the effectiveness of your security measures and identify areas for improvement.
7. Implement Secure Cloud Services: If you use cloud services, ensure proper configurations and access controls are in place to protect your data.
8. Create an Incident Response Plan: Develop a detailed incident response plan outlining the steps that should be taken in the event of a security breach. Test the plan through simulated exercises.
9. Have Physical Security at Your Office: Install and implement physical security measures, like access control systems, CCTV, and secure facility design, to protect against unauthorized physical access.
10. Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that your IT stack adheres to relevant industry standards and compliance regulations.

Following this checklist will help ensure that your organization is better protected from any security threats that may pop up and more prepared to deal with breaches when they occur.

If you have questions or need assistance with any or all of the steps within this checklist, reach out to the Thrive team today. From our cybersecurity risk assessments to our virtual CISO (vCISO) consultants to our industry-leading managed cybersecurity platform, we can help you check all the right boxes in your cybersecurity strategy.  

In recent years, technology has completely transformed the investment landscape and process, reshaping how financial firms approach investing. Technology has greatly impacted how hedge funds operate, creating easier access to information and automating trading decisions. These advancements also come with great challenges, particularly when it comes to cybersecurity. 

Using data-driven insights has allowed traders to quickly analyze potential investments. New algorithmic trading systems are able to analyze large quantities of data in just seconds, allowing investors to react to fast-paced market events and take advantage of short-term opportunities. 

Another aspect in which technology has improved the investment process is with financial planning software which allows companies to monitor and analyze their financial data and look at cash flows with a click of a button. Simplifying how we can access our financial data has also allowed financial firms to work outside the office, especially post-pandemic.

Research from Deloitte suggests that 92% of investment management firms are implementing, or are planning to implement technologies that enable their people to work from anywhere. Social distancing and remote working environments increase the need for seamless two-way communication across multiple digital channels. 

Having your financial data uploaded and readily available does come at a significant cost to your private data security.

Now, more than ever, financial institutions have to ensure that their IT infrastructure can handle the changing requirements and regulations for the industry, but also bolster their systems with proactive and agile platforms that can respond to threats quickly and efficiently. Having a trusted managed service provider (MSP), like Thrive, can help keep all of your data secure and keep your firm up to date with ongoing training and compliance.  

Thrive’s Financial Operations Platform manages the full investment lifecycle through front, middle, and back office via our single custody private Cloud. Our Financial Operations Platform enables organizations to put investors at ease, as well as serves as a comprehensive tool during a potential regulatory or registration process with the SEC, FINRA, SIPC, MSRB and NFA.

Implementing robust cybersecurity practices, staying informed about emerging threats and creating a risk mitigation plan, and fostering a culture of security awareness amongst your firm, are essential for navigating this evolving tech landscape safely. Striking a delicate balance between technological innovation and a safeguarded cybersecurity plan, the financial industry can continue to thrive in this digital era.

Ensuring that your security budget is well managed and is going towards the right channels to protect and maintain the integrity of your company’s data is a key part of a CISO’s job. But knowing how and where to spend your budget can be a daunting task with today’s ever-changing security and compliance landscape. Because of these swift changes and growing cybersecurity threats, CISOs have been spending more on security than ever before.

“The average budget increase from 2022 to 2023 is 11%, with a further average increase of 19% forecast for the 2023 to 2024 budget cycle” according to a survey from Osterman Research of CISO and CIO respondents at 284 organizations in the United States with more than 1,000 employees.

CISOs are reporting that their top priority is cloud security, strategy and architecture^[1].

Due to the increase in cyber crime and security threats year over year, CISOs are investing resources in the following areas:

• Automation/AI
• Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services
• Shifting from legacy cybersecurity platforms to cloud-native platforms

These key areas of investment are helping firms stay on top of their individual compliance requirements and cybersecurity needs. Additionally, these shifts will save cybersecurity teams time, money, and talent, which are all frequent pain points that CISOs need to address.

Making technology advancements and moving to the cloud is a priority in CISO’s security budgets allowing their company to stay on top of changing compliance requirements and pivot in a moment of crisis and prevent future risk. Having a solid plan of action to stop an attack before it even happens is critical to your security plan and the safety of your data and your customers’ data. Thrive’s ThriveCloud is an enterprise-grade, VMware platform offering the highest performance in security and efficiencies that mid-market businesses need and deserve.

Implementing an MDR solution provides companies with 24/7 protection against potential cyber attacks and security breaches. Having a complex network of resources, end-user applications, and IT infrastructure can ensure safety from all possible threats.

Thrive’s platform delivers a suite of solutions that can help CISOs outfit the best plan for risk mitigation and agility for their companies, including its MDR solution. With Thrive, you can take advantage of NextGen security measures that integrate an automated AI platform and proactive oversight by an in-house team of experts. Outsourcing your IT infrastructure to Thrive will optimize your business performance, maintain infrastructure integrity, and enable scalability for all your data protection and IT needs.

^[1] https://www.evanta.com/resources/ciso/infographic/2023-ciso-leadership-perspectives

IT teams are constantly looking for ways to close the gaps between their systems and security measures – gaps that threats are typically looking to exploit. That is why Thrive has developed its Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture (CSMA). This comprehensive architecture provides businesses with a solution that effectively reduces gaps in security by connecting siloed solutions via two-way integrations, pulling data into the mesh, and pushing actions out to a wide range of tools. 

At its core, cyber mesh refers to a dynamic network architecture that enables secure communication and data exchange across various endpoints. Thrive’s CSMA seamlessly integrates into existing infrastructures and leverages advanced encryption and authentication protocols. It simply acts as a protective web; protecting devices, users, and applications, ensuring your business a comprehensive defense against cyber threats.

Key Benefits for Businesses:

• Enhanced Network Visibility: CSMA provides businesses with unparalleled visibility into their network, allowing them to identify potential vulnerabilities and anomalies in real time. This visibility enables proactive threat detection and response, minimizing gaps for data breaches.
• Eliminated Siloed Security Operations: Thrive’s CSMA delegates ongoing and incoming security challenges that threaten your business across existing tools like zero-trust, MFA, MDR, pen testing, vulnerability management, and more. 
• Seamless Scalability: As your business grows, your network infrastructure must adapt to accommodate increased demands. CSMA is built for seamless scalability, enabling organizations to add new devices and applications to their network without compromising security. Thrive’s solution ensures that every new addition integrates seamlessly into the mesh, maintaining a strong security posture.
• Resilience Against Advanced Threats: With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats like ransomware and advanced persistent threats (APTs), businesses need robust defenses. Thrive’s Cyber Mesh employs advanced encryption, anomaly detection, and behavior analysis to thwart even the most advanced attacks. By fortifying their networks with this technology, businesses gain the confidence to operate securely in a threat-ridden landscape.

In a world where cyber threats continue to grow in complexity and frequency, businesses must adapt to new approaches to protect their valuable data. Thrive’s Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture presents a paradigm shift in network security, enabling organizations to obtain and maintain a secure network environment. By embracing this revolutionary technology, your business can enhance network visibility, eliminate security gaps, achieve seamless scalability, and fortify its defenses against advanced threats. Thrive’s Cyber Mesh is an invaluable tool in the battle against cybercrime, empowering businesses to move securely through the digital age. Contact Thrive to learn more about CSMA and how it fits into your business’ security strategy.

The Thrive team had the privilege of attending the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, where we discussed the latest trends and challenges in cybersecurity with other industry leaders. The two most significant trends at the conference were vendor consolidation and AI-powered Cybersecurity Mesh Architectures – ideas that, as a comprehensive MSP & MSSP, Thrive is well equipped to address while managing our customers’ evolving cybersecurity needs. 

Vendor Consolidation: Streamlining Security Solutions

One prevailing trend that stood out at the conference was the increasing emphasis on vendor consolidation. Enterprises across the board, from large organizations to mid-market businesses, are facing budgetary constraints and resource limitations. As a result, they find themselves procuring multiple security tools from various vendors, leading to tool sprawl and operational inefficiencies.

At Thrive, we recognize the challenges posed by vendor fragmentation and understand the need to simplify and streamline security operations. Our comprehensive suite of cybersecurity services enables us to serve as a single partner that manages multiple vendor solutions through our platform with support from our 24x7x365 SOC. By consolidating security solutions, enterprises can reduce complexity, enhance operational efficiency, and optimize their security budgets. Thrive’s expertise in managing Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), vulnerability management, and penetration testing services while delivering high-level strategy and guidance through our vCISOs makes us the ideal partner for organizations looking to consolidate their security vendors.

Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture: Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence

Another heavily discussed trend at the conference was the growing intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and a holistic cybersecurity mesh architecture (CSMA). The use of AI in cybersecurity has gained significant traction, as organizations seek innovative ways to detect and respond to individual evolving threats in real-time as workforces are increasingly dispersed by remote work.

Thrive has long recognized the transformative potential of AI in the cybersecurity domain. As the world works towards developing advanced AI-powered solutions that enable proactive threat detection, automated incident response, and predictive analytics, we are too. By leveraging our vast information base, we are poised to provide organizations with unparalleled defense against sophisticated cyber threats. Our cyber mesh approach ensures seamless integration between our clients’ existing infrastructure and AI-powered security systems, enabling organizations to advance their holistic security approach without disrupting their operations.

At Thrive, We’re Here to Help

At Thrive, we distinguish ourselves by offering a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity services tailored to the needs of mid-market and enterprise clients. Our track record and expertise in handling end-to-end security operations position us as a trusted partner for organizations seeking a more modern cybersecurity solution that fits the reality of their staffing and their budgets. 

At the end of the day, our goal is to help identify our client’s pain points, align their cybersecurity strategy with business goals, and bridge any gaps in their existing security posture. We aim to empower internal IT teams by making their operations more efficient and effective via cybersecurity assessments, identifying overlaps and vulnerabilities, and recommending tailored solutions that optimize security resources and close critical gaps.

Our time at the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit reinforced our belief that streamlining and strengthening our client’s security experience through consolidation is going to be critical in the months ahead. When you combine this with our investments in our Thrive Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture, Thrive clients are going to be proactively protected against cyber threats like never before. Contact our team today to learn more and schedule a consultation.