Author Archives: Sydney Pujadas

The role of outsourced IT service providers has changed somewhat since Thrive’s founding back in 2000. While at the macro level, the function of outsourcing remains, the complexities and value of the delivery model have evolved. This is especially true for technology outsourcing.

Not so long ago, the status quo for providing technology services to users would have looked something like this: a comms room within your physical place of work housing a top-to-bottom technology stack, typically comprised of complex networking, storage, and compute devices. This room would usually provide the backbone, applications, and data that is delivered directly to the user devices and workstations in that same physical place of work. This comms room would normally be replicated in its entirety to an offsite location, most commonly a data centre for continuity of service, and it would all be supported and managed by any combination of In-House Infrastructure, Development, and Support professionals. The entire ecosystem would come at a heavy cost both financially, and as a time and management burden.

One of the first major shifts in recent times came with the upheaval of this logical set-up, often referred to as “on-prem”, with a switch to removing the on-site comms room and shifting to an entirely Data Center-derived solution – what we know now as “private Cloud” or “co-lo”, depending on the set-type. This first major change removed the dependency on the physical place of work to host enterprise systems and data, made applications more readily available, and reduced proximity risk as it related to infrastructure and the physical place of work.

The second major shift derived from the global expansion and adoption of public Cloud and SaaS services. Until that point, technology outsourcing was very different. You most likely needed a data centre or two, you would have needed significant capital to invest in order to populate that data centre with technology hardware and circuits, and you would have needed significant expertise on staff in order to manage and support it.

The evolution of public Cloud and SaaS services has completely commoditized that same environment and while there are of course exceptions to this rule based on the type of services required, a service provider no longer requires a data centre or significant capital, and has a more linear and consolidated requirement for skills and expertise.

The internal team of professionals that would typically be on the company payroll has also moved to an outsourced function of the service provider, often rendering the entire technology function for all non-proprietary services a cost allocation that makes up part of an outsourced services budget. While this presents several other discussion and risk factors for debate, in the eyes of the customer it has been transformational. There are many more credible providers now available in the market and because they are all ultimately now selling a commodity, the choice for a customer is often a very simple one.

As complex as technology outsourcers like to think they are – and regardless of the value proposition they put to the market – the customer now bases their decision on two very simple factors:cost and service.

Although the former is of merit, it is the latter that holds the most value, as 5-star service would naturally command a higher cost than something suboptimal. While technology and all of the moving parts associated with complex networking, storage, server, and database estates used to be the value proposition (and it should be noted, is still the “behind the scenes” backbone of all public Cloud services), the shift to people, relationships, engagement, and service is now what sets providers apart. Customers are less concerned with the technology and far more concerned with the service and the people behind it.

Choosing your outsourced IT provider requires due diligence. Looking closely at a firm’s people, service, and processes is paramount to a successful partnership. Important things to look for in an ideal outsourced IT provider are:

• The speed in which matters are handled
• The manner in which incidents are handled,
• Familiarity with your industry’s needs, ideal tech stack, and users
• The overall professionalism of the team
• How the service provider manages talent acquisition and talent development
• How available your dedicated team is at a moment’s notice

You can buy the same commodity from a vast number of providers, but you choose to do business with your providers because of how they deliver, support, and manage it. With Thrive, you can feel empowered about your choice of outsourced IT provider. Partnering with us ensures that your business needs are understood and met with expert-driven recommendations. Additionally, Thrive provides 24×7 access to a dedicated team of experts that can help you meet your business goals and stay agile to potential threats. Contact Thrive today to learn more about how we can help your business, today.

As remote work continues to surge in popularity, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your team is communicating effectively and efficiently. There are a myriad of options to choose from making it seem like a daunting task to pick the best – and most secure – communication platform for your organization. Beyond the challenges of staying in sync virtually, making sure that sensitive information being shared across channels stays secure requires a robust IT infrastructure.

The Microsoft Teams app has become a fundamental tool for collaboration, integrating chat, meetings, and business functionalities seamlessly. Using Microsoft’s integrated phone services and calling plans can transform your communications infrastructure into an all-encompassing, efficient hub.

Benefits of Unifying Your Communications with Microsoft Teams Phone:

Centralized Communications System

• One-stop Communication Solution: Integrating phone services transforms Microsoft Teams from a basic collaboration tool into a unified communication system. Manage voice, video calls, and chats all within one platform—reducing the need to switch between apps and thereby boosting productivity.
• Expand Global and Local Reach: Enable your team to make and receive calls with local phone numbers through Microsoft Teams Voice, regardless of geographical location. This feature not only ensures a consistent local presence but also helps to establish a global reach without the complexities of traditional phone systems.

Cost-Effective Communication

• Significant Cost Reduction: Merging your telephony with Microsoft Teams can lead to substantial savings. Traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) systems are expensive compared to the VoIP services that Microsoft Teams uses, which reduces call costs, especially for international communications.
• Simplified IT Management: Unifying your communication tools into the Microsoft Teams client minimizes IT complexity. This integration facilitates easier management, maintenance, and secures your communications under one platform, ultimately cutting down on IT costs.
  Boosted Productivity and Collaboration
• Seamless Office 365 Integration: Microsoft Teams Phone services are intricately linked with Office 365 applications. This integration allows for effortless access to emails, contacts, and calendars, streamlining workflows and enhancing decision-making processes.
  Accessibility and Availability – Features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and caller ID are accessible worldwide. This availability ensures that team members are reachable anytime and anywhere, enhancing responsiveness and connectivity.

Enhanced Customer Interactions

• Direct Client Engagement: Integrated calling in Microsoft Teams facilitates direct and immediate communication with clients, providing a personalized touch. Easy access to previous interaction histories offers valuable context during follow-ups, improving customer service outcomes.
• Call Center Features: Utilize advanced features like call queues, auto-attendants, and conference calls to handle customer inquiries professionally. These capabilities are essential for maintaining high customer service standards and ensuring client satisfaction.

Taking your communications to the next level is made easy by partnering with Thrive. Our managed IT service experts will work directly with your IT team to set up and manage Microsoft 365 Platform services, so that your team can communicate and work seamlessly across a secure platform. Unifying your communications will also increase organizational productivity and customer service capabilities. Businesses looking to refine their communication systems will find Microsoft Teams with integrated phone services an invaluable solution. Contact Thrive today to learn more about this advanced communication platform and propel your business to new heights of efficiency and connectivity.

Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly frequent and more complex, so it’s vital to be proactive and lower the odds of a successful breach. That’s why Thrive now offers a Dark Web Monitoring service. By spotting company and personal data as well as employee credentials out in the wild sooner, Thrive gives your organization the ability to respond before they are leveraged by cyber criminals. The service can also protect your brand by detecting doppelgänger domains that imitate your own.

What Is Dark Web Monitoring?

Dark web monitoring involves monitoring and analyzing the content of the dark web, a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and is often associated with illegal activities. It aims to identify any mentions of sensitive information, such as personal data or company credentials, that may have been compromised and are being traded or sold on these hidden online platforms. This surveillance can also pick up on threat actors discussing future attacks against specific domains or IP addresses.

What Is Domain Threat Detection?

Besides tracking dark web activity related to your business, Thrive’s services include domain threat detection. Domain threat detection focuses on monitoring domain names and their associated infrastructure for potential security threats. Look-a-like domains that use transposed letters or a different extension could be used for phishing attacks, malware distribution, or brand impersonation. Thrive helps organizations identify and mitigate risks related to their online presence, protecting both their reputation and the security of their employees, partners and customers.

How Can Dark Web and Domain Threat Monitoring Prevent a Successful Cyber Attack?

With dark web and domain threat monitoring, Thrive is able to help organizations identify and expose any compromised domain names or sensitive data that may have been leaked into the dark web, ready for bad actors to purchase and use against your organization. Any sensitive data is susceptible to breach, such as social security numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, etc. With Thrive, we ensure that all sensitive data related to your organization and its employees are kept safe and are closely monitored.

One common method of launching a cyber attack or phishing campaign is called typosquatting, which is when a cyber criminal registers a domain that is very similar to a legitimate domain to trick users who are not paying close attention. With knowledge about these doppelgänger domains, organizations can warn their stakeholders and engage their legal team to take down the domain.

Another attack vector is a compromised login credential. Employees often reuse credentials at multiple websites or applications, so if the account is compromised as part of a breach (even one that seems insignificant), attackers will attempt to use the same credentials on other common websites. To help mitigate a breach due to an employee’s credentials being compromised, requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) or other stringent login requirements, such as regular password updates, can reduce your risk of exposure. Should a breach occur, Thrive will notify your organization which account and password has been compromised, so that any other accounts using the same password can be updated.

How Thrive Can Help

With Thrive, you will have an expert team dedicated to keeping your organization proactively protected. Through our dark web and domain threat detection services, we are able to help close doors before attacks even try to open them. Contact Thrive today to learn more about Dark Web Monitoring.

Ensure Cyber Incidents Don’t Becomes Cyber Disasters.

Plan ahead to stay ahead. Cyber threats are everywhere, and in today’s digital landscape, it’s imperative to stay on top of your technology stack. Ensuring that your organization has a strong plan in place for when a cyber incident occurs can save you time and money.

Having an Incident Response Plan in place will put you ahead of bad actors and better safeguard your organization’s sensitive data. With Thrive’s Incident Response Planning Guide, you can feel confident that your organization is in great hands.

The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show on Broadway with over 13,000 performances and a 35-year tenure performing to packed houses. From its initial run in London back in 1986 before launching on Broadway in 1988, the show has delivered a consistently high-quality experience for thrilled audiences worldwide.

During the tenure of the production, it has been performed in multiple languages, by thousands of cast members. Still, the popularity and success have remained and that is down to having a very clear plan to follow. In theatre parlance, this will be a script that provides the lyrics and production guidelines to ensure that despite the variables of cast and location, the quality of the operation and performance remains high quality.

Planning and rehearsing are vital in all aspects of life to ensure success and if we apply the same logic to preparation for a cyber attack, organizations can be found wanting. If the exam question is, “What would you do in the event of a cyber-attack?”, you will often be met with a blank stare. This is not down to ignorance but predominantly because thankfully, there are still organizations yet to experience the disruption caused by a cyber attack.

Cyber attacks can cause immense disruption to business operations. According to Statista, the average downtime from a Ransomware attack in the US was 24 days. Naturally, being down for 24 days can cause a huge impact and possibly put an organization out of business but with the heavy reliance on information technology, even an hour of disruption can impact customers, employees and shareholders.

One of the biggest challenges and an important consideration when dealing with a cyber attack is determining who is in charge of the response. With a Broadway show, the overall responsibility lies with the Director to ensure everyone is on point in following the script to ensure a perfect show. That Director will have years of experience and there will have been a lengthy recruitment process to allow the backers of the show to make an informed decision, and ultimately the right selection. The Director may get it wrong occasionally and the show may not run as well on certain occasions but that is ultimately recoverable and will rarely impact sales. However, in the event of a cyber attack on an organization, having the right person or organization in charge of the response is even more critical as getting it wrong can mean that the business is no longer viable.

Even if you have never experienced a cyber attack it is important to be prepared to ensure the minimum of disruption and an efficient response. In the same way that we have home security cameras and alarms even though we may never have been burgled, preparation is key. Having the right person or partner to be in charge of the response is imperative and a key part of preparation. It cannot be understated in terms of the panic and chaos that a cyber attack can cause. A cyber attack can include the following events within your organization:

• Endpoints encrypted
• Vital Customer applications down
• Lack of understanding of what has happened
• Backup impacted
• Share price impacted
• Customer satisfaction impacted

In some organizations, the IT and Security teams are large enough and fortunate enough to have the requisite skills and plan in-house to create, rehearse, and follow an Incident Readiness and Response Plan. For many others, there are not the resources internally with the necessary experience to be a “safe pair of hands”.

When bringing in a third-party provider, some good questions to ask are:

• Are they experienced in cybersecurity and remediating cyber attacks?
• Do they have a global presence so that they can provide 24×7 responses?
• Do they have experience across IT infrastructure to help remediate the issues that a cyber attack can cause on networks and endpoints?
• Will they commit to a response within a certain timeframe?

By running through a process where you can make an informed decision and select the right person or individual for Incident Management, you can reduce the panic and distress that an incident will cause. You will not have to overspend and rush contracts through without the necessary diligence because of the urgency of the situation. It can provide an enormous level of comfort knowing that there is a trusted, experienced team on contract and working on your behalf to restore business operations in the worst-case scenario of a cyber attack.

At Thrive, our Incident Response Retainer helps ensure your organization is prepared, should a cybersecurity incident arise. Our team of experts is here to support your organization before, during, and after a disaster. Throughout our partnership, our designated experts will provide feedback and help deploy a tailored Incident Response Plan (IRP), regularly testing and optimizing your IRP. Should a cybersecurity incident arise, Thrive will immediately be in contact with your team to diagnose the incident and determine the next steps. Together, you can feel empowered about your IRP and ensure the safety of your organization’s sensitive data.

Whether it’s a Broadway show or being able to respond to an incident, ultimately preparation and the right person in charge will determine whether it’s a roaring success or a critical failure!

Contact Thrive today to learn more about how Incident Response and Remediation can help your organization minimize a disaster.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) has emerged as an indispensable solution to safeguard against evolving cyber threats and ensure the continuous operations of critical IT infrastructure. MDR is a proactive cybersecurity service that provides continuous monitoring, threat detection, and rapid response to security incidents. MDR solutions leverage advanced technologies such as AI-driven analytics, machine learning, and threat intelligence to detect and mitigate cyber threats in real-time. These services are typically provided by firms that monitor networks, endpoints, and cloud environments to identify suspicious activities and potential breaches.

But MDR services often fall short when it comes to the “response” component, leaving organizations’ security teams scrambling to fix issues themselves or trying to orchestrate a solution through multiple vendors – all while their systems and data are in peril. 

Situations like this are just one reason why vendor consolidation has been a growing trend in enterprises. A survey by Gartner, Inc. found that 75% of organizations are pursuing security vendor consolidation in 2022, up from 29% in 2020. While cost savings play a part in the drive to consolidate, there is also a desire to achieve operational excellence, which was the most common objective for mid-sized company CIOs surveyed by Gartner in 2023. 

Credit: Gartner

How do a better MDR response, vendor consolidation, and operational excellence tie together? The answer is managed IT services.  

Understanding Managed IT Services and MDR

Managed IT services encompass a range of outsourced IT solutions aimed at managing and maintaining an organization’s IT infrastructure. These services include network management, software updates, help desk support, cloud services management, and more. Managed IT service providers (MSPs) work closely with businesses to optimize IT performance, enhance productivity, and ensure the reliability and security of IT systems.

Having separate providers for MDR and managed IT services can introduce unwanted vulnerabilities into a business’s IT infrastructure. Disjointed communication and coordination between the two providers may lead to gaps in coverage and response times during security incidents. Without a unified approach to monitoring and managing IT systems, critical security alerts could be missed or mishandled, leaving the business exposed to potential threats. Additionally, conflicting strategies or technologies employed by separate providers may create compatibility issues, hindering the effectiveness of the security measures. These security issues must be addressed and resolved for a business’s cybersecurity posture to remain in compliance and stay effective against bad actors. Integrating service providers can greatly reduce these risks and save time when responding to potential threats. 

Opting for a single provider for both Managed Detection and Response and managed IT services significantly enhances a business’s security posture. Consolidating these services under one provider ensures seamless integration and coordination between monitoring, detection, and response efforts. This integrated approach enables a proactive, swift incident response, with real-time threat detection and remediation across the entire IT infrastructure. Moreover, a unified provider can offer a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s IT environment, facilitating tailored security solutions that align with business objectives and risk profiles. By streamlining operations and fostering collaboration between MDR and managed IT services, businesses can proactively mitigate security risks, strengthen their defense mechanisms, and better safeguard sensitive data and assets against evolving cyber threats.

The Benefits of Combining MDR and Managed IT Services with Thrive

• Comprehensive Threat Detection and Response: By integrating MDR with Thrive’s managed IT services, businesses can benefit from a holistic approach to cybersecurity. MDR solutions provide real-time threat detection and response capabilities, while Thrive’s 24x7x365 security operations center (SOC) offers proactive monitoring and management of IT infrastructure. Together, these services provide comprehensive coverage, enabling early detection and a swift response to cyber threats.
• Efficient Incident Management: Integration enables seamless coordination between MDR and managed IT teams, streamlining incident management processes. When a security incident is detected, MDR analysts can work closely with the team that is already familiar with the organization’s infrastructure, making it more efficient   to investigate the issue, contain the threat, and remediate any vulnerabilities. This collaborative approach ensures a faster response time and minimizes the impact of security incidents on business operations.

• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Integrating MDR with Thrive’s managed services allows businesses to take a proactive approach against cyber threats. MDR solutions continuously monitor networks and endpoints for suspicious activities, while our expert team focuses on implementing security best practices, patch management, and vulnerability assessments. By addressing potential security risks before they escalate, Thrive can reduce the likelihood of data breaches and downtime.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Integrated MDR and managed IT services offer scalability and flexibility to adapt to the evolving needs of businesses. Whether expanding operations, adopting new technologies, or facing emerging cyber threats, businesses can rely on Thrive’s comprehensive suite of services that can be tailored to their specific requirements. This scalability ensures that businesses can maintain a robust security posture and IT infrastructure as they grow and evolve.

Integrating MDR with managed IT services with Thrive offers businesses a powerful approach to cybersecurity and IT management. By combining real-time threat detection, proactive monitoring, and efficient incident response capabilities, businesses can maximize efficiency, enhance security posture, and ensure seamless operations. By adopting integration best practices and leveraging advanced technologies, businesses can stay ahead of cyber threats and focus on driving growth and innovation in today’s digital landscape. Contact Thrive today to learn more about how you can get the most out of our expert managed services teams.

The healthcare industry has witnessed a surge in cyber attacks, putting patient confidentiality, data integrity, and overall healthcare infrastructure at risk.

In the past year, 120 healthcare breaches were reported that have compromised data from about 11.5 million patient records across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights

The digitization of healthcare records and the integration of connected medical devices have undeniably improved patient care and operational efficiency. However, this digital transformation has simultaneously given rise to a complex threat landscape that demands stronger healthcare cybersecurity. Cybercriminals target healthcare organizations to gain unauthorized access to valuable patient information, leading to potential identity theft, financial fraud, and even patient care issues.

Understanding the Challenges the Healthcare Industry Faces

• Legacy Systems: Many healthcare organizations still rely on outdated legacy systems that may lack robust security features. These systems pose a significant challenge as they are more vulnerable to cyber threats and may not receive regular security updates.
• Human Factors: Healthcare staff may inadvertently contribute to security vulnerabilities through actions such as clicking on phishing emails or using weak passwords. Adequate training and awareness programs are essential to mitigate these risks.
• Interconnected Devices: The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in healthcare, from wearable gadgets to medical equipment, creates additional entry points for cyber threats. Securing these interconnected medical devices is crucial to maintaining a resilient cybersecurity posture.
• Regulatory Compliance: Healthcare organizations must adhere to strict regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Compliance with these regulations is not only a legal requirement but also a vital component of safeguarding patient data.

Strategies for Bridging Cybersecurity Gaps

• Risk Assessment and Management: Conduct regular risk assessments, like Thrive’s Cybersecurity Risk Assessment, to identify potential vulnerabilities and prioritize them based on their impact. Implement risk management strategies to address and mitigate identified risks effectively.
• Upgrading Systems and Software: Invest in modernizing and upgrading legacy systems to ensure they have the latest security features and patches. Regularly update software and firmware to address vulnerabilities and enhance overall security.
• Employee Training and Awareness: Educate healthcare staff on cybersecurity best practices, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and reporting potential threats. Training programs should cover topics such as phishing awareness, password hygiene, and secure communication practices.
• Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhance access controls by implementing MFA. This adds an additional layer of security beyond traditional username and password combinations, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
• Collaboration and Information Sharing: Foster collaboration within the healthcare industry to share threat intelligence and best practices. Establishing a collective defense approach can enhance the overall cybersecurity resilience of the sector. The Department of Health and Human Services Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) is a great example of government-led collaboration.  
• Incident Response Planning: Develop and regularly test incident response plans to ensure a swift and effective response to cyber incidents. This includes communication protocols, data recovery strategies, and collaboration with law enforcement if necessary.

Addressing cybersecurity gaps in healthcare requires a proactive approach from healthcare providers and organizations. Cracking the code on healthcare cybersecurity is an ongoing effort that demands continuous adaptation to the evolving threat landscape. Contact Thrive today to learn more about how your healthcare organization can be better prepared against data breaches and other cybersecurity threats.

Amidst remarkable innovation in recent years, it’s undeniable that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have become ubiquitous. Their widespread adoption across sectors like financial services, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing signifies a notable shift. By 2023, 35% of businesses had embraced AI, indicating its quick integration into modern operations.

With the rise of generative AI solutions such as ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot, productivity is at an all-time high. But this productivity can come at a price if it leaves sensitive data more vulnerable to cyber threats. 

What is Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot has garnered acclaim as one of the most potent productivity tools available. It represents a cutting-edge Large Language Models (LLMs) AI assistant that seamlessly integrates into various Microsoft 365 apps — including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, and more. 

What sets Copilot apart from other AI tools, such as ChatGPT, is its unparalleled deep integration with Microsoft 365. Functioning as the user’s ‘copilot,’ Copilot gains access to the entirety of a user’s work history within the platform. This comprehensive access enables Copilot to efficiently retrieve and compile data from documents, presentations, emails, calendars, notes, and contacts. By synthesizing the user’s workload, Copilot promotes creativity and alleviates the mundanity of day-to-day tasks. 

Understanding the Security Risk

While the remarkable benefits of Copilot are absolute, it’s imperative that as a business owner or IT leader, you understand the security risks associated with this kind of data integration tool. One of the primary concerns lies in Copilot’s extensive access to sensitive data, both within the company and with third parties like clients and partners. It inherits the same access privileges as the user, raising important questions about data security, confidentiality, integrity, and privacy.

The crux of the matter revolves around data vulnerability. Copilot’s ability to access and process vast amounts of organizational data dramatically increases the likelihood of data breaches, unauthorized access, and accidental exposure of confidential information. Moreover, the reliance on AI algorithms introduces complexities in data governance, compliance, and regulatory adherence, further complicating security management efforts.

As AI becomes increasingly prevalent within business operations, it represents an opening for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities, manipulate algorithms, and orchestrate sophisticated attacks. As such, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in implementing robust security measures to safeguard against potential threats and vulnerabilities associated with Copilot’s deployment.

How Thrive Can Help

Thrive specializes in both collaboration services via Microsoft 365 as well as comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, making Thrive uniquely suited to meet the needs and challenges of organizations leveraging AI technologies like Copilot. We offer a multifaceted approach to Microsoft 365 strategy and governance, and security optimization, encompassing risk assessment, threat detection, incident response, and compliance management with the help of the following services: 

• Ongoing Strategy and Governance Services for Microsoft 365:

• Information Architecture Consulting
• Access Controls and Policy Management

• Vulnerability Management

• Managed Detection and Response

• Autonomous Penetration Testing

• Endpoint Detection and Response

Our seasoned Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSPs) and Microsoft 365 experts offer your organization 24x7x365 monitoring and remain vigilant against evolving technology and threats, providing continuous surveillance over core critical infrastructure and security landscapes. Thrive can offer the security and governance assistance needed to move your business’s productivity and creativity forward.

All Things Considered, Is Copilot Right for Your Organization?

In evaluating Microsoft 365 Copilot, organizations must assess their risk tolerance, security needs, and readiness for AI integration. While Copilot enhances productivity and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, its access to sensitive data requires careful consideration of security implications.

By engaging cybersecurity experts like Thrive and implementing robust security measures, organizations can mitigate risks associated with Copilot while harnessing its transformative potential for innovation and collaboration. With strategic planning, you can navigate the complexities of AI-driven technologies with confidence and ensure the security and integrity of your organization’s digital ecosystem. Contact Thrive to learn more about your current security capabilities and assess if Copilot and other AI integrations are right for your organization. 

Today, many organizations, especially those with limited resources to hire security professionals, are turning to a flexible and cost-effective solution – Fractional CISOs. These Virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs) fill a critical gap by providing their expertise to organizations, which allows them to significantly reduce cybersecurity risks and threats.

“The top 2024 risk cited by internal audit leaders is cyber and data security, with more than 80% of respondents not only rating this risk highly but also giving it the top spot for expected audit efforts in 2024.” –Business Wire’s 2024 Focus on the Future Report 

Stringent security regulations and changing compliance requirements have created a need for strategic cybersecurity expertise within organizations, even though many do not have the allocated resources to hire a full-time CISO. With fractional security experts, you get scalable and cost-effective solutions for your organization’s IT security needs. Having a virtual CISO available can allow businesses to streamline their security measures and strengthen their security posture against cybersecurity threats and mitigate security risks.

Utilizing a vCISO service allows companies to rest easy and be assured that their business’s cybersecurity risk mitigation plan addresses key regulations and frameworks and is optimized to meet business needs and goals. Additionally, fractional CISOs provide the following benefits:

• Expertise: Fractional CISOs typically have a broad range of experience in cybersecurity across various industries. Their expertise can help organizations navigate complex security challenges and stay updated on the latest threats and technologies.
• Flexibility: Organizations can scale their security efforts up or down based on their needs. A fractional CISO can adapt to changes in the organization’s size, structure, or security requirements without the constraints of a fixed full-time position.
• Strategic Guidance: Fractional CISOs can provide strategic guidance and assist in developing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy aligned with the organization’s goals. This includes risk management, compliance, and incident response planning.
• Objectivity: By being an external resource, a fractional CISO can offer an unbiased perspective on security matters. This objectivity can be valuable in assessing vulnerabilities, identifying risks, and recommending solutions without internal biases.
• Training and Awareness: Fractional CISOs can assist in creating and implementing cybersecurity training programs for employees, raising awareness about security best practices, and fostering a culture of security within the organization.
• Incident Response Planning: Having a fractional CISO can aid in developing and testing incident response plans. In the event of a security incident, having a well-prepared response plan can minimize damage and downtime.
• Technology Evaluation: Fractional CISOs can assess and recommend security technologies and tools that align with the organization’s needs and budget. This ensures that the organization invests in solutions that provide effective protection.
• Risk Assessment and Management: A fractional CISO can conduct cybersecurity risk assessments, identify potential threats, and develop cyber risk management strategies to safeguard the organization’s assets and sensitive information.

Organizations need agile and effective cybersecurity solutions to stay ahead. Fractional security experts like vCISOs offer a practical approach, allowing businesses to access top-tier cybersecurity expertise without breaking the bank. By embracing this flexible “CISO as a service” model, organizations can significantly reduce risks, enhance their security posture, and navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape with confidence. Contact Thrive today to learn more about how our vCISO services can help your organization stay ahead of cybersecurity threats.

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.

DOWNLOAD our white paper today!