Author Archives: Thrive

As an SMB owner, you may not have the resources or expertise to handle all of your business’s IT needs. However, with the rise of managed service providers (MSPs), there are now more options for outsourcing your IT services—including some high-quality business computer solutions.

What Is An MSP (And Can They Really Help?)

Managed service providers (MSPs) are third-party companies that offer a range of IT services, from basic technical support to network management and security. Essentially, an MSP is like having your own in-house IT department without the added cost of hiring full-time employees.

This allows SMBs to access professional IT services at a fraction of the cost, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to streamline their operations and save on expenses.

Managing Your Business IT Alone is Hard

Managing your business computer solutions is no easy task—especially if you’re not tech-savvy. From troubleshooting technical issues to keeping up with software updates, it can quickly become overwhelming and take away valuable time from running your business.

But technology is also essential for running a business—about 95% of small business owners report that technology platforms have improved their overall efficiency. That’s where MSPs come in. With their expertise and resources, they can handle all your IT needs, freeing up your time to focus on other important aspects of your business and transforming your technology into an advantage.

Our Top 7 Business Computer Solutions

What services can an MSP offer for your SMB’s computers? Here are our top 7 picks:

1. Cybersecurity Solutions

Cybersecurity is crucial for any business, large or small. An MSP can provide comprehensive security solutions, including firewalls, antivirus software, and regular vulnerability assessments to protect your business’s sensitive data from cyber threats.

2. Cloud Computing Services

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses store and access their data. An MSP can help you migrate to the cloud, set up and manage your accounts, and provide ongoing support to ensure your data is secure and easily accessible.

3. Business Data Backup and Recovery

Data loss can be catastrophic, especially for an SMB. With an MSP managing your backups, you can have peace of mind knowing that all of your important data is regularly backed up and can be quickly recovered in case of an emergency.

4. Network Management

An MSP can handle all aspects of your business’s network management, including:

• Server set-up and management
• Implementing network security
• Internet connectivity
• Troubleshooting

5. Hardware and Software Procurement

Purchasing new hardware or software for your business can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. An MSP can advise you on the best options for your needs, handle the procurement process, and even assist with installation and setup.

6. Technical Support

From software glitches to hardware malfunctions, technical issues can arise at any time. With an MSP on your side, you can have access to 24/7 technical support for all of your business’s computer needs.

7. IT Consulting and Strategy

An MSP can also offer invaluable advice and guidance on how to improve your business’s overall IT infrastructure and strategy. Every MSP team is made up of industry experts who stay up-to-date on all the latest technology trends, so they’ll help your business stay competitive in the digital landscape.

Thrive Sets the Standard for SMB and Mid-Market IT Solutions

At Thrive, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch business computer solutions for SMBs. With over 20 years of experience and a dedicated team of professionals, we offer customized services to meet the unique needs of our clients. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your business’s technology needs!

Creating, practicing, and maintaining a successful Business Continuity Management (BCM) program requires detailed documentation, diligence, and discipline. It is an involved process that will only succeed when you have the right buy-in and resources working together to develop, implement, and audit.

3 Legs of the BCP Stool

The “3 Legs of the BCP Stool” metaphor highlights the foundational aspects essential for a strong Business Continuity Plan (BCP). These legs represent critical components that support your plan’s effectiveness and resilience in the face of disruptions:

• Business Continuity Planning: Yes, the first leg is the same as the concept itself. This is all about the people, places, and processes. During an event, where do people go? What do they need to do to keep the business running? And what’s the plan for each department within an organization?

• Crisis Management: This includes physical safety, employee protection, and related communications. For example, how will you communicate with your staff during a severe weather alert, or relay information to the fire department or law enforcement during a fire or active shooter situation?

• Disaster Recovery (DR): The “things” part of a BCM program. How will you recover from a server failure? A network outage? A cryptovirus? Do you have backups or workarounds in place? What is the priority for systems recovery in the event of a disaster?

Understanding these elements is key to developing a comprehensive BCP strategy. While each component has its unique focus, they are all interconnected and must work together seamlessly during a crisis. It’s important to have a solid plan in place for each aspect and regularly revisit and update them as needed.

12 Professional Process Steps For Business Continuity Management

Without a thorough plan in place, many organizations fail to recover from a disaster. Luckily, we’ve developed twelve professional practice steps to a successful BCM program. Working through the steps is time-consuming, but investing the resources to develop, practice, and revisit a BCP will put you in a position to navigate unexpected outages, natural disasters, or dangerous workplace events.

1. Program Initiation and Management

Establish the need for a BCM Program (and identify the program components) by gaining a clear understanding of your risks and vulnerabilities. This can be through the development of resilience strategies, response, restoration, and recovery plans.

The main objectives of this professional practice are to obtain leadership’s support and funding—then you can start to build the organizational framework and develop the BCM program.

2. Risk Evaluation and Control

Identify the risks/threats and vulnerabilities that are both inherent and acquired which can adversely affect your organization, its resources, or its image. Once identified, threats and vulnerabilities will be assessed as to the likelihood that they would occur and the potential level of impact result.

Your business can then focus on high-probability and high-impact events to identify where controls, mitigations, or management processes are non-existent, weak, or ineffective. This evaluation results in recommendations from the BCM Program for which additional controls, mitigations, or processes should be implemented to increase resiliency from the most commonly occurring and/or highest-impact events.

3. Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

During this step, your organization should identify the likely and potential impacts of events on your business or its processes. Moreso, the criteria that will be used to quantify and qualify such impacts. This includes the following:

• Financial Effect
• Operational Effect
• Customer Effect
• Regulatory Compliance
• Reputational Impacts

The criteria to measure and assess these impacts must be defined and accepted, then used consistently to define each organizational process’s Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO). The result of this analysis is to identify time-sensitive processes and the requirements to recover them in an acceptable timeframe.

4. Business Continuity Strategies

Use the data collected during Risk Evaluation and BIA to identify available continuity and recovery strategies for your organization’s operations and technology. Recommended strategies must be approved and funded, and must meet both the recovery time (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO) identified in the BIA.

You should also perform a cost-benefit analysis on the recommended strategies to align the cost of implementing the strategy against the assets at risk.

5. Emergency Preparedness and Response

Develop and implement your organization’s plan to respond to emergencies—this may impact the safety of employees, visitors, or other assets.

The emergency response plan should document how your business will respond to emergencies in a coordinated, timely, and effective manner to address life safety and stabilization of emergencies until the arrival of trained or external first responders.

6. Business Continuity Plan Development and Implementation

The Business Continuity Plan is a set of documented processes and procedures that will enable your organization to continue or recover time-sensitive processes. This is usually created to allow processes to continue at the minimum level within the timeframe acceptable to the business.

In this phase of the Business Continuity Management Program, the relevant teams design, develop, and implement the approved continuity strategies and document the recovery plans to be used in response to an incident or event.

7. Awareness and Training Programs

A program is developed and implemented to establish and maintain awareness about the Business Continuity Management (BCM) Program and to train your organization’s staff so that they are prepared to respond during an event.

This training program should ensure staff members understand their roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency or business disruption. The team will also regularly conduct mock exercises to test the effectiveness and readiness of the plan.

8. Business Continuity Plan Exercise, Audit, and Maintenance

To continue to be effective, a Business Continuity Management (BCM) Program must implement a regular recovery exercise schedule to establish confidence in a predictable and repeatable performance. As part of the change management program, the tracking and documentation of these activities evaluate the ongoing state of readiness.

This tracking will allow continuous improvement of your organization’s recovery capabilities and ensure that plans remain current and relevant. An audit process will also validate the plans are complete, accurate, and in compliance with organizational goals and industry standards.

9. Crisis Communications

Define the framework to identify, develop, communicate, and exercise a crisis communications plan. This plan should address how communications will be handled before, during, and after crises. The communications plan is developed collaboratively with your organization’s public information and internal information resources where they exist to ensure consistency of communication.

The plan should address the need for effective and timely communication between the organization and all the stakeholders impacted by an event or involved during the response and recovery efforts.

10. Coordinating with External Agencies

Establish policies and procedures to coordinate response, continuity, and recovery activities with external agencies at the local, regional, and, if necessary, national levels. But don’t forget to prioritize compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.

This also includes establishing a process to obtain mutual assistance support from and provide the same to other organizations when requested.

11. Program Improvement

The program must be evaluated and improved continually to ensure that it remains proactive.

Your organization should monitor industry trends, emerging threats, and the results of its own exercise program to identify potential gaps or other areas that require improvement. Regularly reviewing and updating policies, procedures, plans, and other documentation will ensure that your BCM Program is effective and continues to meet organizational goals.

12. Store, Update, and Distribute Your Plan Regularly

The Business Continuity Plan is a living document that must be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains accurate and relevant. Follow these steps to ensure your plan maintains its effectiveness:

• Ensure all team members have access to the latest version of the plan, including any relevant updates or changes.
• Store the plan in a secure location.
• Test your backup procedures regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly.
• Perform annual reviews and audits to identify any necessary changes or improvements.
• Distribute the plan to all relevant team members, including new employees, and provide training on their roles and responsibilities in case of a disaster.
• Regularly communicate updates and changes to the organization to ensure everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities in an emergency.

Start Managing the Right Way With Thrive

Diving into the process of business continuity management is best guided by experienced professionals who are familiar with the intricacies of these twelve steps. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you tackle your business continuity challenges.

Be sure to establish Data Governance and Privacy Protocols before implementing GenAI

Business and IT leaders must approach the integration of Copilot and similar AI solutions with extreme caution and foresight. The allure of enhanced productivity and innovation must be balanced against the inherent risks posed by these powerful tools.

Download our sample AI policy template for a starting point as you look to create and implement robust, company-wide data governance policies and privacy protocols that make safeguarding sensitive information a priority. It’s vital to preemptively ensure that only authorized personnel have access to critical data and that stringent security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access.

Disclaimer: This policy template is meant to provide general guidelines and should only be used as a reference. It is not a legal document. It may not take into account all relevant local, state, or federal laws. Thrive does not assume any legal liability that may arise from the use of this policy.

Welcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.

Our featured employee is Ryan Goodwin, an Architect of Public Cloud Services, who focuses on defining and standardizing Thrive product offerings in Microsoft Azure. His role encompasses the product’s operational and technical aspects and manages the “Thrive Way” of operating the public Cloud space.

Ryan calls New York City home and enjoys spending time with family. His two children, a 3-year-old girl and an 11-month-old boy, keep him hopping. He also enjoys hitting the slopes and playing basketball when he has free time.

Hi Ryan! Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?

I started working for Precision IT when I got out of college. My primary responsibility then was to sort through client hardware orders and ensure they made it to the customer. I worked my way through the ranks, from helpdesk to field engineer and lead senior systems admin. At the time of our acquisition by Thrive, I was the CTO, focusing on our product development, technical standards and private Cloud.

Where did you go to school or get training?

I graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Management and Technology. As I’ve been working, I’ve picked up several industry certifications. Plus, I’m a big fan of reading and always up for learning something new – my training is a never-ending story!

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?

One notable aspect is the significant professional growth opportunities that Thrive offers, which might be more limited in smaller organizations. Contributing to pivotal initiatives such as the design, development, and implementation of ServiceNow and leading projects related to new acquisitions underscores the diverse and impactful responsibilities I embrace in my role.

Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?

In the early stages of my current role, I successfully implemented Azure Lighthouse. This strategic deployment allows Thrive to monitor all Azure customers efficiently through a unified interface. The primary objective was to optimize operational and technical processes, promoting heightened efficiency. The experience of developing a solution that facilitates streamlined operations for our teams.

Are you interested in learning more about Thrive? Click here!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news, and continue checking our blog for more in our “Thrive Employee Spotlight” series. Until next time…

Transmarine Navigation, part of the Horizon Group, specializes in providing port agency management services and addressing the requirements of shipping companies globally. This case study details how Thrive, a trusted technology partner, supported Transmarine Navigation in addressing a critical staffing gap, stabilizing its IT operations, and bolstering its cybersecurity resilience.

As a ship’s agency, Transmarine acts as a vital service provider for ships entering and exiting ports, ensuring seamless operations of cargo and port services throughout the maritime journey. However, an unexpected IT staffing departure caused waves in daily operations that could have had a destructive ripple effect across sea transport.

Why Thrive Was Chosen

“We decided to work with Thrive for our security and networking needs because we were impressed with its effectiveness and knowledge in these fields, which gave us confidence in its ability to deliver,” said Travis Sirmon, Director of Technology at Transmarine Navigation.

By partnering with Thrive, Transmarine avoided building internal teams and infrastructure for security and networking, opting for a plug-and-play solution instead. Thrive’s familiarity with Transmarine’s environment allowed it to seamlessly implement the necessary measures to ensure compliance on both the network and security fronts.

Thrive’s Strategic Deployment and Evolution

In the beginning, Thrive was instrumental in jumping in ASAP to handle Transmarine’s day-to-day service needs, helping solidify processes for the IT team and bolster our internal support operations. Thrive put together a support desk to give users a way to contact technical experts for help. Thrive also implemented the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to make it more efficient and effective. After stabilizing the internal support, Transmarine recognized Thrive had more to offer in terms of security and network management and opted to deepen the partnership. Transmarine tapped Thrive to optimize its IT infrastructure to make it more efficient and secure. Thrive then shifted into more of a 24/7 support partner for network and security, eventually passing the helpdesk back to the Transmarine team. “Thrive dove into our legacy equipment, guiding us through assessing our existing assets. They initiated firmware upgrades and enhancements, prompting us to entrust them to manage our hardware responsibilities,” added Sirmon.

Thrive’s Impact

Thrive’s impact on Transmarine Navigation extends far beyond mere technological enhancements. Thrive’s significant contribution was evident in Transmarine’s first Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) assessment, which showed remarkable improvement with triple the scores from the previous year. In an industry where security concerns loom large due to global vendor interactions with varying requirements, Thrive’s expertise in fortifying network infrastructure to protect Transmarine’s data and communications becomes indispensable.

Conclusion

Thrive’s partnership significantly alleviated the strain on Transmarine Navigation’s resources, allowing them to focus on serving their clients effectively. “Thrive’s unwavering support and effective communication underscore the importance of strong relationships in navigating IT obstacles, especially in higher-end networking and security,” said Jay Pearson, IT Support Specialist at Transmarine Navigation

“Thrive’s significant contribution was evident in our first Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) assessment, where we saw a remarkable improvement, tripling our scores from the previous year. This surge in satisfaction directly reflects Thrive’s commitment to excellence and underscores their pivotal role in our vertical, particularly within the maritime and transportation sectors.” ~ Travis Sirmon, Director of Technology, Transmarine Navigation

About Thrive

Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

As portfolio companies harness digital technologies to drive growth and innovation, they become increasingly reliant on cloud computing and interconnected systems to streamline operations and enhance productivity. However, with these opportunities come inherent risks, including cyber threats such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, and insider threats, which can have profound implications for the financial performance and reputation of portfolio companies – and their private equity backers.

The convergence of cybersecurity and cloud security is particularly relevant for portfolio companies, as they operate within the broader ecosystem of their parent investment firms. Any cybersecurity breach or data compromise within a portfolio company can not only impact its own operations but also reverberate throughout the investment portfolio, affecting investor confidence, valuation, and long-term strategic objectives.

Since 2021, Identity Management Day has been celebrated annually as an event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting personal information online. Held on the second Tuesday of April, this day serves as a reminder for individuals and organizations alike to take proactive steps in safeguarding their digital identities as part of a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.

Understanding the Importance of Identity Management

The significance of managing and securing online identities cannot be overstated. An online identity is not just a collection of usernames and passwords; it’s a digital representation of who a person is and their most confidential information. From sensitive financial data to personal communications, a breach of an online identity can have far-reaching consequences, including identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage.

The Risks of Neglect

There are numerous ways hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in your team’s online identities, such as phishing scams and malware attacks. Without proper management and end-user security measures in place, anyone in your organization could easily fall victim to these threats.

Best Practices for Identity Management

So, what can you do to help protect the online identity of anyone in your company? Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and opt for complex passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding an extra layer of security with MFA can help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts, even if your password is compromised.
• Regularly Update Software and Applications: Keep your operating system, web browsers, and applications up to date to patch any security vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
• Be Mindful of Sharing Personal Information: Think twice before sharing sensitive information online, and be cautious of phishing attempts disguised as legitimate requests for personal data.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your online accounts for any suspicious activity, and report any unauthorized transactions or login attempts immediately.

Identity Management Day serves as a timely reminder of the importance of taking proactive steps to safeguard our personal information online. By following best practices for identity management and staying informed about emerging threats, we can minimize the risk of falling victim to cybercrime and protect our digital identities for years to come. For additional information on how to keep your information secure on Identity Management Day and every day, contact Thrive today!

Welcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.

Our featured employee is Mark Lopshire, Strategic Account Executive, Private Equity Group.  In his position he manages a diverse portfolio comprising high-growth mid-sized, and emerging companies.  He works closely with these organizations leveraging his expertise to implement strategic measures that bolster their security framework and provide tailored solutions aligned with their unique business objectives.

Mark lives in Derry, New Hampshire and likes to spend as much time with his family as he can.

Hi Mark!  Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?

I have been in the technology industry for over 27 years and have been working for Thrive the past 17 years.  Previously, I have worked as a systems engineer, sales engineer, solutions architect, engineering director, consultant, vCIO, and have had several sales and account management roles.

Where did you go to school or get training?

I started school at Eastern Nazarene College on a pharmacy track through a partnership with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.  In my second year, I discovered my passion for technology and decided to redirect my career path.  I enrolled in the Boston University’s Corporate Education program and obtained my MCSE certification.  Throughout my years within the industry, I have worked on various certifications to enhance my expertise and align with the evolving demands of the tech industry.

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?

Every day at Thrive is filled with excitement and growth as we continually evolve. I consider myself fortunate to work alongside individuals who share a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to putting our clients first.  Thrive encourages us to challenge the status quo and strive for continuous improvements in and processes and services.  It is a dynamic environment that fosters innovation and empowers employees to deliver the best possible results for our clients.

Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?

My clients consist of private equity-held companies that are in a phase of rapid growth. Our primary focus is on facilitating their continuous expansion by assisting with strategic acquisitions and ensuring seamless integration into platform organizations. Our approach emphasizes minimizing disruption while prioritizing the highest levels of security throughout the process.

Are you interested in learning more about Thrive? Click here!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news, and continue checking our blog for more in our “Thrive Employee Spotlight” series. Until next time…

A competitive advantage is the backbone of market leadership for any business—and technology plays a key role in gaining that edge. But how can you use technology to give your company the upper hand? The answer is IT project management.

What Is IT Project Management?

IT project management is a specialized field that focuses on planning, organizing, and executing technology-related projects. These projects can range from implementing new software or hardware to improving existing systems and processes. The IT project managers are responsible for the entirety of the process, including the following:

• The project lifecycle, from conception to completion
• Ensuring all goals are met within budget and on time
• Managing resources
• Communicating with stakeholders
• Mitigating any potential risks
• Ensuring quality control

How IT Project Managers Fit Into Your Company

IT project managers play a crucial role in businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporations. Here are some key ways IT project management can give your company a competitive advantage:

Plans Projects Strategically

IT project managers have a strategic approach to planning and executing projects. They take into consideration the goals and objectives of the company, as well as current market trends and opportunities. With this information, they create a plan that not only meets the immediate needs of the business but also sets it up for future growth and success.

Executes Projects Efficiently

IT project managers understand that time is money. They utilize technology tools and their expertise to streamline the project process, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and deadlines are met.

Achieves Company IT Goals

With their specialized knowledge and skills, IT project managers help companies achieve their IT goals. This includes implementing new systems or processes that improve efficiency and productivity, as well as staying up-to-date with the latest technology trends to maintain a competitive edge.

Implements Software Solutions

Software solutions are key for businesses to stay competitive. IT project managers have the expertise to identify and implement the right software solutions for your company’s specific needs, which can significantly improve operations and give you an advantage over competitors.

Scales Operations

As a business grows, its technology needs to grow. IT project managers have the knowledge and experience to scale operations appropriately, ensuring that the company’s technology can support its growth.

Manages Risks

Technology projects assume risks, whether it’s budget constraints or unexpected technical issues. Regardless of the type of risk, IT project managers are trained to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring a smooth project execution and minimizing any negative impact on the company.

IT Project Management: The Perfect Addition to Your Business

IT project consulting and management is an essential aspect of utilizing technology for a competitive advantage. At Thirve, our experienced team members can act as IT project managers, providing your business with strategic planning, efficient execution, and expert guidance on achieving your company’s IT goals. Contact us today to learn how we can help your business stay ahead in the digital world.