Business computing infrastructures are more complex than ever as companies migrate to the cloud and collect data from various sources. IT departments often find themselves overburdened as they try to manage all that data into a single, cohesive environment.

More businesses are relying on the cloud to store their data and applications, but this also exposes them to a raft of cybersecurity risks. The only way to mitigate these risks to conduct regular network security assessments.

A network security assessment is a complete evaluation of your organization’s IT system or infrastructure.

The business benefits of the cloud are undeniable: dramatically reduced costs, improved resiliency, workforce mobility, and on-demand access to a practically limitless pool of computing resources. But despite all the hype, the cloud isn’t perfect.

Security is often overlooked when migrating business operations over to the cloud, especially since you’re entrusting your data to major service providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.

A cloud service provider (CSP) gives your business access to enterprise-grade infrastructure, network resources, and applications via the internet for a low monthly subscription fee. These services are hosted in data centers that are managed by scores of expert technicians.

Most managed services providers (MSP) offer remote monitoring and management (RMM), an essential service that involves the use of tools that monitor and manage networks and computers to improve efficiencies and increase revenues.

RMM tools allow MSPs to remotely monitor and gather information to assess the condition of networks and computers, even if they are scattered across a continent.

Like their larger counterparts, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) need technology to get things done or achieve milestones. But they often lack the budget and expertise to keep up with the IT capabilities of competitors and keep their IT running smoothly.

Holding on to obsolete technology is likely hindering your business from expanding, achieving greater productivity, and reducing costs.

Some businesses refuse to upgrade their technology because of budget constraints, but you don’t have to make huge investments to maximize technology.

Nowadays, it’s an understatement to say that cyberattacks must be taken seriously. According to IBM’s 2019 Cost of a Data Breach Report, businesses suffer losses of $3.92 million on average from a data breach. For companies with less than 500 employees, this is a crippling loss.

Microsoft has announced Windows 7’s end-of-life (EOL) date, and it will be on January 14, 2020. At the moment, Windows 7 is still at an extended support phase, but once that’s done and EOL kicks in, Microsoft will stop releasing updates and patches, and no longer offer help and support to the millions of users who may still be using Windows 7. This includes security patches that protect the operating system (OS) from breaches, threats, and exploits.

Law firms routinely deal with sensitive information, which is one of the many reasons why the industry is a prime target for hackers. Case files, client information, and other important records fetch a high price on the black market. What’s more, many law firms are not properly equipped to deal with modern cyberattacks.