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Skyrocketing Email Attacks Against Small Businesses

Cyber criminals are skyrocketing email attacks against small businesses with cybersecurity measures in place.

Your digital presence is important to you as a small business owner. Your website is up and running, you’re managing your social media account, sending email marketing messages, and your team is working with email every day. Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks are on the rise now more than ever, making it more vulnerable to cyber threats.

Email account hacks and BEC attacks increased by 81% in 2022. According to the FBI‘s Internet Crime Complaint Center, businesses worldwide lost $1.8 billion to BEC attacks in 2022 alone.

The average small business closes within six months of being hacked.

The worst part is that 98% of employees do not report email threats. The reason is that they have no one to report the incident to, as we find as a Managed IT Security Provider in Toronto. Outsourced IT management services are still available to many small businesses without a dedicated IT staff member. The vulnerability of small businesses makes them easy targets for hackers. However, do not let that discourage you from taking proactive action; rather, it should motivate you. The reason is as follows.

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What Is A BEC Attack?

A BEC attack involves cybercriminals posing as business owners or trusted partners in emails, and persuading employees to perform actions that compromise the business – such as revealing sensitive information or transferring funds. Detecting legitimate emails from deceptive emails is challenging due to the sophistication and slickness of the criminals.

How To Identify A Compromised Email Attack?

  1. Criminals have evolved their methods of executing Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams, and the guidelines below are guidelines only, not a complete list of things to look out for.
  2. Don’t act quickly and surreptitiously when asked to make a financial transaction. It is especially important if the requests involve skirting normal processes or are coming from someone you don’t usually interact with.
  3. Fraudulent emails: Review all email addresses associated with requests for sensitive information or financial transactions. Email addresses are frequently modified by criminals. The manipulated address could be abc_123@365tisoultions.ca, for example, if the original address is abc-123@365itsolutions.ca. It is possible to check the full email address of the sender by hovering over the sender’s name.
  4. Requests for confidential data or logins: Be extremely cautious if you receive requests to click on a link to a login page, to update your financial account information (even if they appear to come from your bank), or to provide tax-related information.
  5. Discrepancies in payment requests: Be alert to unexpected requests for payment that depart from your trusted supplier’s usual schedule, procedure, or contact information.
  6. Innocent attachments and links: It’s recommended not to open attachments or links from unknown sources or if you didn’t ask for them or anticipate them.

Make your email more secure today by strengthening your security measures

The following steps will help you improve the security of your email. The advice you have heard before may not sound new to you, but if you haven’t acted on any of them yet, now is the time.

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Establish financial security measures

Ensure all financial transactions are two-step verified through a policy and process. Most BEC scams can be thwarted by this simple step. A financial payment request should always be verified by two or more people. Our Managed IT Services in Toronto clients all benefit from this type of policy.

Educate Your Team

By drafting better copy, ChatGPT and other AI language models are improving email attacks by eliminating spoofed emails’ telltale grammar and language issues.

Small businesses should train their employees on how to identify and avoid BEC scams and educate their employees about the risks.

  • Scammers use a variety of tactics to trick employees. Email account security should be included in training, including:
  • Any urgent request received should be viewed with suspicion.
  • Taking caution when dealing with spoofed email addresses, social engineering, and fake websites.
  • Making sure that any strange messages are checked regularly in the sent folder.
  • A password with at least 16 characters should be used for your email account.
  • Passwords should never be used for multiple accounts at the same time.
  • Keeping their email password secure.
  • If they suspect a phishing email, they should inform their IT contact.
  • Authenticate domains and emails
  • Email and domain security tools can be set up by your IT provider within an hour or so.
  • DMARC stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance
  • SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
  • DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
  • Protocols such as these help:
  • Make sure the email address of the sender is authentic.
  • Spoofing of emails can be reduced.
  • Prevent spam folders from being filled with your outgoing emails.
  • Email security with DKIM, DMARC, and SPF.
  • Make sure your email and anti-phishing software are up-to-date

Fraudulent emails and many BEC attacks can be identified and blocked by advanced email security solutions. They can alert users to potential threats, detect unusual patterns, and block malicious email addresses. Machine learning and AI are becoming increasingly effective, but attackers are also becoming more sophisticated.

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The provision of IT security cannot be set once and forgotten, but rather must be managed on a daily basis. Small businesses can benefit from outsourcing IT services.

Money can be lost forever in a matter of seconds when you make an honest mistake. Make sure your small business emails are protected.

Cyber criminals are skyrocketing email attacks against small businesses with cybersecurity measures in place however there are options to proactively help.

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!

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IT Security IT Solutions Managed IT Services

How Much Do Managed IT Services Cost

Many businesses ask how much do managed IT services cost however there are many factors that affect price and service.

The cost of managed IT services is one of the most important considerations for companies when looking for long-term partners.

There are several factors that determine managed IT service costs, including the size of your company, the scope of services provided, and the complexity of your IT infrastructure. A flat fee may be charged by some managed IT service providers, while others charge based on the number of devices or users. A good value for the services provided is more important than the specific pricing model.

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Costs of Managed IT Services per month

Managed IT services typically cost small businesses $1,000 to $5,000 per month, while large businesses may pay $5,000 or more. It depends on your business’s specific needs and the services you receive from the provider as to how much these costs will be.

Your monthly costs and expectations will be significantly affected by different service inclusions.  To help you evaluate inclusions, we have created a list of essential IT services. Using this list, you can compare the costs of different managed IT services.

A wide range of support services

You should determine whether the help-desk support is unlimited or based on a set number of hours or tickets

The service desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: confirm its hours and cost for after-hours support

Support services that include onsite support should be clarified

Get an idea of how much it will cost a technician to travel to your location

Inquire if tier 3 teams are included in the support contract for advanced troubleshooting

Support and vendor collaboration: list the applications you use and ensure they are supported and collaborated with

Make sure the provider offers professional macOS support if you use Apple devices

The cost of ongoing satisfaction scoring and reporting should be discussed.

How Much Do Managed IT Services Cost 2

Managed IT services

You may have to pay an additional fee to directly access and review your IT requests under incident management

Make sure that the managed IT provider charges for Remote Management & Monitoring (RMM)

Review how systems are monitored and how much it costs to respond to after-hours alerts

Understanding the costs of designing and implementing changes to servers and networks

Hosting and management of DNS: verify that the IT provider is prepared to accept the responsibility and complexity of DNS hosting and management

Discuss strategy with the service provider and discover whether your key IT initiatives will be tracked and scored

Consult with a vCIO about the costs and benefits of factional Chief Information Officer (vCIO) services

Disaster Recovery and Backup Services

Find out how much offsite backup services and storage cost each month and how much they vary

You can verify the costs of backing up your Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace data by visiting the Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace Backup page

Ask about monthly cloud backups if you have sensitive information on endpoints such as laptops

When recovering a file or folder from a backup, confirm whether you will be charged

During disaster recovery, discuss both fees for failover business continuity services as well as the labour cost of recovery.

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Providers of cybersecurity services

Confirm whether firmware and driver updates are included and whether manual patches are charged

Virus protection and advanced endpoint protection: find out if they are expensive

Authentication with multiple factors: ask about software and support fees

Training in cybersecurity awareness: discuss the options and costs of managed cybersecurity training

Make sure your managed IT services include ongoing email phish testing

Discussion of firewalls-as-a-service and ongoing security service subscription fees

Providers of cloud services

If you use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, confirm that your IT provider will manage your tenancy fully

Get in touch with your provider to find out if they charge extra fees to manage and support your public cloud services like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Review fees, services, and capabilities of hosting services if you plan to use them

Get to know your IT partner’s proactively managed cloud resources and their variable costs

Managed IT services costs are variable

There are additional fees associated with managed IT services, such as one-time setup fees, project-based fees, and on-site support fees. To ensure you understand all the costs associated with managed IT service providers you are considering, review their pricing and service agreements carefully.

It is useful to ask an IT provider what percentage of their revenues come from managed recurring revenue (MRR) and what percentage come from products and professional services.  It is likely that your variable costs will exceed your monthly fees if less than half of their revenue is derived from MRR. A provider generating over 75% of its revenue from monthly contracts can provide a more inclusive engagement with fewer variable costs.

Consider the trade-off between higher monthly fees and greater cost certainty when choosing managed IT services, versus lower monthly fees that provide fewer services and come with greater fluctuations in expenses.

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The Cost of Managed IT Services

A business’s specific needs can determine the overall cost of managed IT services. Provide specific details about the services the IT provider provides to get an accurate estimate.  Compare pricing and service agreements from several providers.

The question is not how much do managed IT services cost? The question is what services, protection, and proactive management are you getting with your monthly managed IT services?

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!

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IT Security IT Solutions Managed IT Services

Canadian Workers Are Losing Three Hours a Week Under Hybrid Environment

Covid presented companies with many challenges however Canadian workers are losing three hours a week under hybrid environment due to IT issues.

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Proper managed IT Services Can Increase Productivity

Those Canadian hybrid workers experiencing IT issues report losing an average of three hours per week to IT support. The lack of optimized hardware and software for hybrid work results in a massive loss of productivity, however employers can increase productivity by investing in appropriate IT.

Network connectivity and VPN connectivity were cited as key IT issues by most hybrid workers. In addition, IT technical support was lacking, sharing documents with team members was difficult, video calls were interrupted, and additional monitors were not available.

With the right hardware and software solutions in place, hybrid workers will be able to concentrate on their work rather than waste valuable time troubleshooting IT issues.

The implementation of tailored IT solutions by managed IT services providers in Toronto can bridge the gap between day-to-day operations and holistic IT infrastructure.

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Proactively Investing Can Benefit Hybrid Employees

It can be challenging to invest in the right IT for hybrid work when facing financial constraints, but not investing can exacerbate cybersecurity risks. In the event of a security incident, investing in technology without considering security can lead to greater financial and reputational consequences. In a hybrid work environment, employees are likely to face financial barriers, which is most prevalent with small businesses. Approximately one third of the respondents reported choosing and paying for their own IT equipment. Compared to this, one in ten employees at large companies must do the same.

Personal device usage and security posture are affected by a lack of IT investment. Most small business respondents stated that they accessed work-related files or performed work-related tasks on a personal device more than once a day.

Mobile devices, laptops, and tablets used by employees can negatively impact sensitive data security by increasing the attack surface on unsecured networks.  The right devices must be used to safeguard sensitive information for small businesses without dedicated in-house IT support.

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Increasing cybersecurity awareness and understanding of the risks when working in hybrid models impacts the ability of IT decision-makers to work from home.

Compared to only 3% of non-IT decision-makers, nearly one-in-five IT decision-makers reported concerns about data security and privacy when working from home.

Security concerns for IT decision-makers are echoed in a recent study of 553 IT security, risk, and compliance professionals by managed IT services providers. According to the study, two-in-five respondents who store their organization’s data in the cloud – a tool that is essential for hybrid work – reported a cloud security incident in the past year. Moreover, only one third of respondents reported that their organizations had a policy for monitoring and detecting threats within their data, assets, applications, and services.

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How to Fix Hybrid Work Environments

Hybrid environments are successful due to technology and the following factors.

Hybrid Work Communication

Communication challenges are evident when technology is used extensively. In March 2020, many of us transitioned to fully remote work, but the transition to hybrid work can also be rocky. I recently heard from an executive who revealed that when their employees returned to work, they realized their video conferencing system wasn’t fully compatible with hybrid working – if they remembered how to operate it at all. Hybrid work also presents other practical challenges. If some of the office members are remote, should everyone log in from separate computers? Are there more problems created by that than they are solved?

Apart from the technological difficulties, remote and hybrid teams can face additional communication challenges due to the fact that some people are more comfortable speaking over screens than others — and this is in addition to the power, status, and language differences that already hinder communication in the workplace.

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Hybrid Work Coordination

Coordination is an important component of collaborative work, but working in hybrid teams presents significantly greater coordination challenges than working face-to-face. When people work together in person and remotely, researchers have noted the risk of “fault lines” emerging. Remote teammates are left out of small exchanges and minor decisions made by those who are working together in the office due to the extra effort it takes to coordinate. Getting accustomed to who’s included in conversations and who’s not over time can result in people being left out of bigger conversations and more significant decisions.

Hybrid Work Connection

Technology-based communication and logistical coordination are not the only challenges of connection. In addition, working remotely can undermine or even destroy social connections. Building and sustaining professional networks and mentoring relationships is particularly challenging for women and minorities, who have a harder time advancing in the workplace. In addition, researchers have found that our psychological well-being is enhanced by personal connections. A hybrid working environment may result in a “dominant class” of those who feel connected to the organization and strongly committed to it as well as an “underclass” of those who feel marginalized and disconnected not only from their work but also from their social lives which create meaning and bind employees together. A reduction in job satisfaction and commitment can result in less committed employees seeking other jobs.

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Hybrid Work Creativity

Hybrid work threatens two types of creativity. One obvious example is collective creativity: people can brainstorm with zoom, but they may not generate as many ideas as we can when we talk fluidly, have sidebars, or work intensively to solve a problem together. Programmed times and formats may not be as effective as spontaneous conversations, sidebars, and unexpected things can happen.

It is also possible to endanger individual creativity. The ability to generate novel ideas and insights can be enhanced by quiet time alone. Even so, it is not clear that employees who need to be constantly creative or innovative will find it beneficial to work alone over many days or weeks. The opposite may be true: there may be benefits to seeing random artifacts in a colleague’s cubicle and even going from home to work to change the scenery that can enhance creativity.

Hybrid Work Culture

With the pandemic dragging on and the prospect of everyone returning to work dimming, senior leaders are increasingly concerned about this challenge as well. Initially, companies were relieved to find that their remote workers were still productive and engaged.

These employees certainly knew how to work together effectively before the pandemic, plus they understood the company’s norms, values, and expectations, and had worked closely together before the pandemic. Whether they’re interns, entry-level hires, or seasoned executives, integrating these newcomers into the company’s culture has become an increasingly pressing challenge as existing employees leave, and new ones join.

A company’s culture can also assist in signaling its distinctiveness to potential new recruits, particularly in industries with a high level of competition for talent, such as tech, consulting, and banking. In the war for talent, how can companies differentiate themselves from each other if employees rarely or never come to work or spend time together?

Canadian Workers Are Losing Three Hours a Week Under Hybrid Environment 6

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!

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IT Security IT Solutions Managed IT Services

Why You Need a Managed Service Provider

All businesses need technology to be competitive and we will explain why you need a managed services provider to proactively stay secure.

You can be confident that the IT situation and technology of your MSP will support your business goals by utilizing their experience, capital resources and human capital. Almost all companies face the decision of whether to hire a managed IT service provider or to have an internal IT department.

In order to serve their clients efficiently, innovatively, and effectively, companies must ensure that they do not overextend themselves financially.

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Benefits of Managed Service Providers

Your business can benefit from their advantages and support your goals if you understand why. A service provider should be able to help you save money and leverage its expertise and experience in topics such as cloud computing, network infrastructure, and support services. Managed IT services are essential for several reasons.

  1. Managed IT Services Saves Time

By using a managed service provider, you can focus on running your business and achieving your daily goals. With a managed IT provider, you don’t have to worry about the IT department, so you can focus on strategy and business goals instead of fighting fires and managing it. Managing your IT helps your business stay on top of technological developments and ensures you are meeting your technological needs.

  1. Managed IT Services Reduces Costs

There are significant costs associated with maintaining a full-time tech team or an entire internal IT department. IT staff members must be paid, receive benefits, be trained, have time off, and be covered, not to mention be hired due to staff turnover. With the help of an IT service provider, you can reduce and control costs while leveraging the provider’s expertise. In contrast to personnel maintenance, managed service providers provide consistent service without adding to the costs.

You can also avoid high capital expenditures with a managed service provider and have predictable operational expenses each month. In order to create this predictable monthly budget, IT service providers negotiate the rates with clients and discuss any additional costs prior to implementation. It is therefore easy to track and understand IT costs because they are stable entities. A managed service provider like 365 IT SOLUTIONS charges fixed monthly fees that include all costs associated with managing and optimizing your business.

  1. Managed IT Services Simplify Your Productivity

IT environments are optimized for productivity and efficiency with MSPs focused on ensuring business processes and stability. Client data is a top priority when working with MSPs and is safeguarded to ensure that you can easily recover data in the event of a network outage. Additionally, MSPs offer on-call support 24/7 so you and your employees can resolve issues as quickly as possible. MSPs prioritize solving technical problems before they arise to streamline productivity.

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  1. Managed IT Services Provider Reliability

The help desk model creates a backlog of issues without individualized support, creating a magnet for inefficiency. Managed IT services benefit you in two ways, depending on the provider: technicians are available on call 24/7 and know your business well enough to fully comprehend the impact and capacity of IT.

  1. Managed IT Services Provide Security 

It is vital for businesses to safeguard their data, since it has become a critical asset. Your IT environment becomes more secure when you use an MSP. The latest IT security technology can be installed and maintained by managed service providers.

  1. Managed IT Services Offers the Latest Technology

As a leader in technology in the marketplace, an IT establishment guarantees technology innovation. Having technicians constantly stay up to date on technology ensures that their clients benefit from the latest technologies.

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  1. Managed IT Services Understands your IT Environment

Making sure your company’s hardware and software are optimal is essential. A decrease in productivity and an increase in security vulnerabilities are the results of outdated technology. Your IT experience will continue to improve over the years if you document your network infrastructure.

  1. Managed IT Services Brings Experts to the Table

You will have experts managing your IT environment with an MSP. To optimize IT infrastructure and applications in today’s digitized business environment, highly skilled and specialized experts are required. Training in-house staff would otherwise be an expensive endeavor for MSPs.

SLAs (Service Level Agreements) are then used to hold these experts accountable. Defining and enforcing SLAs ensures accountability for quality service. In the case of a violation of this level of technological experience, it is clear that a contractual obligation has been breached, leading to appropriate action.

  1. Managed IT Services Reduces Risk and Increased ROE 

The MSP provides your company with the expertise of a team of IT professionals with specific qualifications, industry level training, and up-to-date certifications. Moreover, multiple technical experts with superior experience and expertise are available to you for implementing industry best practices.

In addition to providing early notification of government regulatory compliance, managed service providers are at the forefront of technology policy.

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  1. Managed IT Services Offers Customizable IT Solutions

Your business can be evaluated objectively by managed IT providers. How do you plan to achieve your business goals? What role should technology play in your business? Over a fixed period, which solutions provide the greatest productivity at a minimum cost? Using a managed service provider shouldn’t be about fixing a printer or rebooting a computer ad-hoc or as part of a break-fix approach. Using IT strategically to achieve business goals and improve productivity should be the goal of the relationship.

  1. Managed IT Services Establish Relationships with Vendors

Relationships between MSPs and hardware and software vendors benefit your business. By using procurement, you can purchase in bulk and lease hardware and software, saving time and effort on sourcing the right suppliers and vendors. The IT service provider’s relationship with the manufacturer ensures you’re receiving the best value the market has to offer because the company leverages the manufacturer’s buying power. In order to obtain cutting-edge technology, it is crucial to leverage established vendor relationships.

  1. Managed IT Services can Scale Operations

In order to serve customers’ needs, IT organizations develop IT services based on their knowledge of technology. MSPs assist their clients in moving from on-premises physical servers to cloud computing environments they feel comfortable with. The addition of two-factor authentication and dashboard monitoring is an example of IT services managed services that businesses may not have access to on a small scale.

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Does Your Business Need Managed Services?

A managed IT service provider or an internal IT department is an important decision to make based on the benefits of managed IT services. With cybersecurity attacks increasing, technology becoming more complex, and companies constantly going digital, businesses must look at the technology landscape to ensure a reliable technology partner. Make sure your technology relationship is focused on your business goals and your technological needs.

Why You Need a Managed Service Provider? To be proactive and competitive in todays market.

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!

 

 

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IT Security IT Solutions Managed IT Services

Do I Need a Penetration Test?

Many businesses ask, “Do I need a penetration test?” and the response is simple, yes. You need it.

Penetration tests are no longer a question but a necessity with today’s sophisticated cyber threats.

Installing cybersecurity isn’t enough. Learn what type of penetration test your company needs and if it does, how to go about it.

You may be asking yourself a big question before getting into the “why” of penetration testing: what is a penetration test?  Please click the link to answer that question before considering whether a penetration test is necessary.

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Is a penetration test necessary for my company?

Pen tests, also known as penetration tests, are designed to find vulnerabilities in your security system. By identifying and correcting weaknesses, you can prevent malicious actors from exploiting them. Is it really necessary to have one? Consider these factors when deciding whether you need a penetration test:

Personal information, financial records, or classified documents are among the sensitive data that you handle. These types of systems are often targeted by cybercriminals.

If you have strict security requirements, such as those imposed by regulatory agencies.

In the event of a breach, there may be serious consequences such as financial loss, reputational damage, business disruption, or legal liability.

If you are uncertain about the security of your system or network or have not conducted a recent security assessment. When your system is not secure, pen testing can give you peace of mind (or shake your complacency).

Ransomware attacks and exploits make the news every day — and your customers, investors, and insurers need to know that you have a strong cybersecurity strategy. In today’s risky environment, telling them you are diligent isn’t enough; you must also prove it. Penetrating is the solution to this problem. Organizations with sensitive data should utilize it to increase their confidence in their security.

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Cyber insurance requires a penetration test?

Cyber insurance protects organizations from financial loss caused by cyber attacks, data breaches, and other cyber incidents. In order to qualify for coverage under many cyber insurance policies, organizations must take specific security measures. To identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in your systems and applications, your cyber insurance policy may require you to conduct a pen test.

It is wise to review the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to see if you need a penetration test. Cyber insurance policies may also specify how often and what type of testing will be conducted. To ensure that your organization is adequately covered, you should follow your policy’s requirements regarding penetration tests.

Generally, pen tests aren’t necessarily required for all cyber insurance policies, but they can be helpful in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in your systems and applications, and may be required as a condition of coverage.

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Do I need a penetration test for compliance?

Many organizations must conduct regular penetration testing to stay compliant with industry regulations.  Businesses conduct penetration tests to comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). A detailed description of penetration tests can be found in section 11.4 of PCI DSS Requirements and Testing Procedures version 4.0.  In addition, penetration testing is required under ISO/IEC 27001.  And penetration test keeps organizations compliant with article 32 of  GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which calls for “regularly testing, assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of technical and organizational measures for ensuring the security of the processing.”

Compliance requirements may also be specific to your industry, investors, or customers.  The best way to determine your security needs is to consult with a professional.

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What kind of penetration test do I need?

Many businesses don’t know and don’t ask about different pen test options. Yet, different types of tests evaluate different risks. Therefore, the type of test you need depends on a few factors. In order to understand penetration testing better, let’s look at the different types:

  • During an external network penetration test, attackers attempt to access your perimeter systems through the internet. During simulation, an external actor attacks your systems from the outside trying to gain unauthorized access. Testing your front and back doors is like testing your garage door.
  • Internal network penetration test: An internal test looks at risks from an attacker already inside your There are rogue employees, as well as criminals who have stolen passwords. The purpose of internal pen testing is to identify vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit in order to gain access to more information. It is possible for cybercriminals to access the CFO’s data and systems using a salesperson’s password. Before hosting a party, make sure your drawers, closets, and safes are locked.
  • Penetration tests for web applications examine your web-facing applications for vulnerabilities that could compromise their integrity. For companies that offer e-commerce, client portals, or other internet-based services, this is essential.
  • A wireless network penetration test assesses your wireless network’s security to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access or compromise it.

It depends on your particular needs and risks what type of penetration test you need. Working with a qualified security specialist is a good idea when determining the best approach.

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How often do I need a penetration test?

How often you should get pen testing depends on your data, security requirements, and rate of change within the environment. However, here are some general guidelines when asking how often you need a penetration test:

  • A minimum of one external and one internal penetration test should be performed annually for most organizations. The annual checkup identifies and fixes vulnerabilities that develop over time. In order for your organization to remain secure, this cadence is a minimum requirement.
  • Consider periodic penetration testing if your network or system handles sensitive data, such as financial records, classified documents, or personal information. Furthermore, suppose your network is frequently expanding. Our recommendation is to test more frequently to ensure new vulnerabilities are not introduced by the changes if this is the case.
  • Systems and networks are tested continuously by some organizations. By hiring managed IT services providers that specialize in security, you can get continuous testing. Testing continuously can be costly and resource-intensive, but it can also help identify and fix vulnerabilities immediately.

Your specific needs and risk profile will determine how often you conduct penetration testing. Consequently, it is advisable to work with a cybersecurity expert to determine the appropriate frequency of testing.

What is the best place to find a penetration tester?

It is imperative that you find the right cybersecurity firm to perform your penetration test after you determine that you require one. The following methods can be used to find a reputable and qualified penetration tester:

Finding a reputable penetration tester requires referrals from trusted sources. Pen testers can be found through colleagues, industry organizations, or existing IT companies.

Many professional organizations offer directories of certified or accredited penetration testers, such as the International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT) and the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council).

There are two online directories that list penetration testers: the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) directory and the SANS Institute’s “Penetration Testing Consultants” list.

We offer comprehensive penetration testing services provided by certified security professionals at 365 iT SOLUTIONS. As well as partnering with excellent cybersecurity firms, we provide boutique services. Let us guide you through a quick consultation.

365 iT SOLUTIONS is a leader in the Canadian cybersecurity community. Our team includes Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) experts. Because they have combated cybercrime in the corporate world, they know how to find security holes in your system.

365 iT SOLUTIONS Penetration Testing Services

We help you prove your cybersecurity diligence, verify your protections, and gain valuable insight with our ethical hacking service.

Demonstrating your commitment to cybersecurity is essential to demonstrating your credibility to customers, investors, regulators, and insurers. We can help with that with our penetration testing services. With the help of our certified security professionals, you can gain actionable insights that can bolster your credibility.

  • INTERNAL PENETRATION TESTING
  • INTERNAL ETHICAL HACKING
  • LATERAL CHAINED-ATTACK TESTING
  • DEMONSTRATED “PROOF OF EXPLOIT”
  • DETAILED FIX-ACTIONS
  • PORT AND VULNERABILITY SCAN
  • WEB-INTELLIGENCE SCRAPE
  • RISK PRIORITIZATION
  • EXECUTIVE SECURITY CONSULTATION
  • FOLLOW-UP REMEDIATION VALIDATION

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!

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IT Security IT Solutions Managed IT Services

Email Only Users are a Large Cyber Risk

As companies continue to secure their network from cybercriminals, many forget email only users are a large cyber risk that can compromise your network.

CyberRisk is most prevalent among email only users, as companies fail to protect them against email fraud, including domain spoofing.

Email Only Users are a Large Cyber Risk 1

How does Email Support work?

Different employees have different needs when it comes to cyber-security and IT support. There are some who need a lot, and there are others who need very little! Email Support was created for this reason. Low-cost option that provides basic security and support for users with email accounts but no other interaction with IT. With no unnecessary extras, it’s the support those users need.

What does email support provide?

Email Tech Support

Everyone with an email address might need help with an expired password, lost email, bounce back email, or SPAM. They might need help setting up Wi-Fi and email on their phone or getting into their mailbox online. For help, they can email 365 iT SOLUTIONS.

Email Backup Support

Historical backups aren’t included in either Microsoft or Google’s hosted email. Any deleted email is gone forever after a certain number of days. There are times when you have to retrieve emails as part of a lawsuit against an ex-employee. Email Support users’ email boxes are backed up so you can access them at any time.

Email Security

Hackers can exploit any company email address. We provide Cyber Security Awareness training and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as part of Email Support.

You can control:

  • There’s a risk of lateral internal attacks. It’s not uncommon for malicious actors to get access to key systems and users through “low-level” accounts.
  • Impersonation risk. Often, criminals use legitimate company emails to defraud financial institutions, customers, suppliers, or other employees. If the fault is somewhere else, the reputational fallout can still hurt you.
  • Risk of compliance. Security awareness training and multi-factor authentication are often required by insurers, investors, and regulators. CyberSecure Canada recommends them as two of the 13 essential security controls.

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Which users need Email Support?

Anyone with a corporate email account should have Email Support. This ranges from internal users like floor and line workers to external contractors. However, Email Support is already included in other tech support tiers. So if you have staff on a higher support tier already there’s no need to double up. Mailboxes that are not associated with an individual (such as info, careers, or complaints) do not require Email Support.

Email only users are a large cyber risk lacking in Email Protection

University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Stanford University, the University of California Berkeley and Los Angeles, have all been studied by Proofpoint.

Researchers used Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) analysis of these universities as well as the top 10 in the United Kingdom and Australia to make their assessment.

By authenticating the sender’s identity before sending a message to its intended destination, DMARC protects domain names from being misused by cybercriminals. Cybercriminals can perpetrate this misuse by impersonating authentic entities by spoofing their domains. This leads recipient of emails to believe they are legitimate when they are not.

There are three levels of DMARC protection: monitor, quarantine, and reject; the last level prevents suspicious emails from reaching the inbox. A Proofpoint study found that none of the top U.S. and U.K. colleges had a Reject policy in place that could actively block malicious emails from reaching their targets, leaving users at risk for email fraud.

Researchers found that 65 percent of top universities had DMARC protection to either monitor or quarantine emails, but five of the top 10 didn’t have DMARC records at all.

Approximately 11 of the 20 institutions investigated have a Monitor policy, while only 2 have a Quarantine policy, they said. According to Proofpoint, 17 out of 30 universities (57 percent) implemented at least a Monitor policy, while four (13 percent) had a Quarantine policy.

As companies continue to secure their network from cybercriminals, many forget email only users are a large cyber risk that can compromise your network however it can be handle proactively by a properly equipped IT department or managed IT services provider.

Email Only Users are a Large Cyber Risk 3

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

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The Benefits of Managed IT Services for Your Business

As business leaders, you must be able to address multiple parts of the business and it is very important to know the benefits of managed IT services for your business.

There is no doubt that businesses of all sizes rely heavily on digital systems for their operations, making IT infrastructure a key component for the smooth running of those businesses. It is becoming increasingly important for businesses to invest in reliable IT infrastructure to ensure seamless operations, increase productivity, and remain competitive in today’s ever-changing marketplace. The management of IT infrastructure within an organization can be carried out in two ways, either through in-house IT or through managed IT services.

In addition to the advantage of having direct control and dedicated resources, in-house IT is often accompanied with significant challenges and limitations, as well as the advantage of having more control and resources of one’s own. On the other hand, managed IT services, on the other hand, are a cost-effective, strategic approach that can transform the way businesses operate in terms of how they manage IT. As a result, the purpose of this blog is to discuss in depth the benefits that can be gained by using managed IT services in this blog.

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What are the benefits of managed IT services?

Before we dive into what managed IT services can offer your business, let us explain the reasons why it’s crucial to embrace them as part of your overall strategy for business growth.

There is no doubt that a managed IT service can greatly improve the efficiency, security, and overall success of your organization when compared to an in-house IT team. When you partner with a reputable managed IT services provider, you will be able to hire a team of highly skilled IT professionals to take care of all your IT needs.

A managed IT service ensures the smooth running of your business by monitoring and maintaining your technology infrastructure 24 hours a day, updating software, and backing up your data. You will be able to focus on strategic initiatives and core business objectives without having to worry about worrying about your internal team’s technical issues.

Benefits of Managed IT Services

The number of managed service providers has increased to over 150,000 today. It is therefore important when discussing managed IT services to include the benefits of working with a well-reputed service provider in your list of benefits. IT services provided by Managed IT Services are one of the best managed IT service providers in the industry.

It is no wonder then that Managed IT Services is the leading IT consulting firm in Toronto, providing managed IT services tailored to the needs of businesses.

The benefits of managed IT services can be summarized as follows:

A company’s efficiency is increased because of increased efficiency.

An organization’s efficiency can be enhanced by leveraging managed IT services since it provides access to skilled IT professionals, engages in strategic IT planning, provides proactive monitoring and maintenance, provides comprehensive support services, and proactive cyber security. In order to increase efficiency and success of a company, IT infrastructure should be optimized, operations should be streamlined, and focus should be on core competencies.

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Providing a higher level of security

Managed IT services place a high priority on security. Besides proactive threat detection, data encryption, regular security updates, and vulnerability patching, we implement robust cybersecurity strategies to ensure a safe, secure, and protected environment. To prevent cyber threats and data breaches, we ensure the security of sensitive information and ensure business continuity.

A higher level of productivity

Outsourcing IT management to managed IT services can help companies focus on core competencies and strategic initiatives rather than managing IT internally. As an IT manager, it is your responsibility to monitor, resolve issues, and provide reliable IT support for your employees, which allows them to work efficiently and get the most out of their time.

Cost-savings and time savings

It is possible to eliminate the need to invest in expensive IT infrastructure, hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance costs by partnering with a managed IT services company. To better budget and control costs, businesses can take advantage of managed IT services that provide predictable monthly fees.

The Benefits of Managed IT Services for Your Business

Scalability is an important characteristic of this business.

Managed IT services have the advantage of being scalable, allowing businesses to adapt to changing needs as they arise. The IT resources we provide can be easily scaled up or down as necessary to meet the needs of your business, whether you are expanding operations, adding new users, or adapting to technological advancements.

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Disaster recovery after a disaster

Managed IT services provide backup and disaster recovery strategies that safeguard critical business data in the event of a disaster. Data loss or system failure can be quickly restored through managed IT services if there is a loss of data, thus minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity in the event of a disaster.

In addition to this, managed IT services provide companies with the ability to harness the full potential of cloud technology and services. Overall, managed IT services enable organizations to maintain their focus on other core business activities while knowing that their IT requirements are being met and managed effectively.

Globally, the managed services market is projected to grow at a rate of 13.8% CAGR from $239.71 billion in 2021 to $680.08 billion in 2030, a growth rate of 13.8%. Businesses across a wide range of industries are increasingly recognizing the numerous benefits of managed IT services. Managed IT services could be beneficial for your business and would like a quick consultation and immediate deployment of managed IT solutions.

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!

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How to Secure Servers and Cloud Workloads

Endpoints and users are a huge cyber security risk however companies must ensure that they know how to secure servers and cloud workloads in order to help.

In addition to the endpoints used by users, modern IT infrastructure also includes servers and cloud-based workloads. File servers, virtual machines, cloud workloads, containers, and a combination of these technologies may all be used to perform a range of tasks, from basic file and print servers to mission-critical systems that incorporate physical servers, virtual machines, cloud workloads, and containers. Infrastructure evolves over time, increasing complexity and intricacies, as well as the need for security.

A company may consider extending the endpoint security licenses they already have for endpoints to cover their servers, but by using this approach, the organization may not achieve the best level of security. If you are using the same protection product across all your environments, there is no problem with that, however it could leave you vulnerable to critical vulnerabilities as well.

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It is important to understand that user endpoints and server endpoints have different security requirements.

The endpoints of end users are regularly exposed to threats through websites, email, cloud services, or USB drives, according to Gartner1. Threat actors, on the other hand, use vulnerabilities in software and configuration, lateral movement, stolen employee credentials, and a variety of other methods to attack server workloads. As a result of these differences in how end users and servers are exposed to threats, different security requirements must be implemented for end user endpoints and server workloads.”

There is no doubt that a simple padlock can secure your belongings for an hour or two at the gym, but what about your valuables at home? Would a simple padlock protect them for a longer period? There is no doubt about it. In terms of endpoint security, there is no simple lock that you can use, but it may not always be enough to protect yourself in certain situations. It is important to protect user endpoints and servers from different security threats. It is imperative that some servers and workloads are protected properly to prevent potentially devastating breaches and threats from taking place.

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Cloud workloads require a high level of security and protection.

Irrespective of which cloud service you use, you are exposed to the risk of a few different predators.

There is a need for cloud service providers to integrate a built-in capability for detecting workloads to ensure efficiency and security. To ensure security is automatically configured and deployed as soon as new workloads are created, you are going to need automation and visibility functionality.

Most organizations manage their workloads across multiple servers, virtual data centers, and cloud services to maximize their productivity. It is also not uncommon for some companies to work with multiple cloud service providers depending on their business needs and cost concerns. Having a security solution that supports hybrid and multi-cloud strategies is of the utmost importance as hybrid and multi-cloud strategies are becoming increasingly complex over time. If you want to achieve your business goals, then you should simplify your IT and security operations as much as possible.

There are several capabilities that should be available to you to protect your server workload and your cloud workload:

  1. Linux platforms are supported – Linux is the operating system of choice for most applications. As your infrastructure grows, you need a solution that supports an extensive range of Linux platforms.
  2. The use of virtual patching (using host-based intrusion detection systems/intrusion prevention systems (IDS/IPS)) is crucial to detecting and blocking server vulnerabilities, especially before vendor patches are released.
  3. Endpoint, server, and cloud workload EDR/XDR solution integration – A single solution enables cross-layer correlations and visibility, simplifies IT and security operations, and enhances security.
  4. Integrity monitoring — Detects changes to files, running services, ports, and critical system areas, such as the Windows registry, that indicate suspicious activity. The ability to detect unauthorized changes is a critical component in your server and cloud security strategy because it provides visibility into changes that could indicate the compromise of the system.
  5. Inspection of log files – Collects and examines the log files of the system and applications. You can create and maintain audit trails of administrator activities across heterogeneous environments containing different operating systems and applications.

Therefore, organizations in any industry must have modern security to achieve their goals safely and confidently. Using a security solution that protects user endpoints, servers, and cloud workloads is the best way to ensure a strong security posture without adding complexity.

Detection and response and attack surface management platforms are available for hybrid IT environments. By automating and orchestrating workflows, it can assist in stopping threats and giving you back control of your cyber risk.

Proofpoint explains that attackers employed special encoding of the user email and used hacked legitimate websites to upload their PHP code to decode the email address of a specific user to hide the email address from automatic scanning tools.

As soon as the user’s email address has been decoded, they are forwarded to the actual phishing page, tailored specifically for that target’s business.

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Finding peculiarities to target

Researchers discovered that users with Turkish IP addresses are redirected to a legitimate site instead of being attacked, implying that the campaign is based in Turkey.

In addition, individuals noticed that attackers prioritized “VIP” targets and ignored those lower down in the pyramid when moving to the account takeover phase.

A breach affected 39% of C-level executives, 9% of CEOs and vice presidents, 17% of CFOs, and the remainder of employees who had access to financial assets.

Upon compromise, the threat acts quickly and adds multi-factor authentication via Authenticator App with Notification and Code to maintain persistence.

Increasingly, reverse proxy phishing kits, including EvilProxy in particular, deliver high-quality phishing at dangerous scales while bypassing security measures and account protections.

Until organizations adopt FIDO-based physical keys and increase security awareness, they will not be able to defend against this threat.

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!

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Microsoft 365 Price Increase Coming September 1st 2023

Microsoft 365 Price increase coming September 1st 2023 to adjust prices for Microsoft cloud services to global levels.

The prices for Microsoft products in Canada will increase by 6% on September 1st, 2023.

A price increase can be avoided if annual licenses are ordered by August 31st, 2023.

The increase will not affect existing Microsoft 365 licenses until they are renewed.

The following currencies will be used for pricing for Microsoft Cloud and software services beginning September 1, 2023:

 

Currency Cloud Change %* OnPrem Change %*
Canadian Dollar +6% +6%

 

Pricing in local currency will continue to be assessed twice-yearly by Microsoft, considering currency fluctuations relative to the USD. By moving to the most common pricing model in our industry, we will increase transparency and predictability for our customers worldwide.

The Microsoft Cloud continues to be priced competitively, and Microsoft remains deeply committed to the success of its customers and partners. We will continue to invest to enable customers to innovate, consolidate and eliminate operating costs, optimize business performance and efficiency, and provide the foundation for a strong security strategy that customers around the world have come to rely on.

How Azure services will be affected?

CAD customers purchasing Azure in 2023 will see their pricing increase to match what USD customers pay through Azure.com and in volume licensing agreements.

How Microsoft 365 subscriptions will be affected?

Microsoft 365 subscriptions will increase by 6% on your next renewal after September 1, 2023. For commercial, government, academic, and non-profit customers, this price increase impacts cloud and on-premises licensing costs.

Consistent global pricing for the Microsoft Cloud

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Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams Pricing

Using best-in-class apps, intelligent cloud services, and advanced security, Microsoft 365 helps everyone achieve what matters in their work and personal lives.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/business/compare-all-microsoft-365-business-products

Microsoft 365 Price Increase Coming September 1st 2023 2

Microsoft Azure Pricing

Pay-as-you-go pricing that meets the business needs and budget of your organization. No matter what you’re migrating or how complex your deployment is, you can achieve cost savings.

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-ca/pricing/

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

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How to Handle Ransomware Negotiation

Organizations are looking into how to handle ransomware negotiation as cybersecurity professionals look to help businesses in need.

In a survey, 90% of respondents said their company would consider paying a ransom if it meant recovering data and business processes more quickly.

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What is a typical ransomware negotiation process?

The threat actor might use an attack against your business to ‘drip-feed’ extorting data in a staggered way to maximize their gains. Consequently, the business might end up in a perpetual cycle of ransom. This is where we are called to investigate and protect against major ransomware, corporate espionage, financial theft and even nation-state campaigns.

To stay ahead of threat actors, cyber security professionals must invest in and enlist the help of third-party security experts who can evaluate your security stack and spot what you may not see. To effectively combat cybercrime, both helicopter and microscopic perspectives are necessary, as well as a proactive and adaptive mindset.

  • Acquire the right skills before engaging with threat actors.
  • To get the best outcome possible, you must be willing to negotiate and that means “playing the game.”
  • Find the source of vulnerability to avoid double and triple extortion.
  • We can determine the sophistication of the attack by understanding the tools, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) used by the attacker.

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How can a ransomware negotiation service benefit you?

Businesses can gain a wealth of expertise under one roof with the help of a third-party incident response team.

Delaying a response to a ransom demand offers what benefits?

The threat actors today are companies with HR departments, payroll departments, and sales teams. Their reputation is as important to them as securing the ransom. They thrive on infamy. The nature of the attack itself can sometimes make paying the ransom inevitable. As an example, consider a cyber attack on industrial infrastructure, which has a physical impact as well.

Business has paid $449.1 million in ransom since the beginning of this year, according to a recent report. The tact of negotiation can uncover unknowns about the attacker, allow them to be appeased, and potentially reduce the total ransom – thereby deterring future attacks. A security breach is a threat that must be contained, data recovered, and any security gaps must be remedied.

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After a ransomware attack, what should organizations do?

Create an offline channel for streamlined strategic team communication – Essentially a war room. In the age of cyberattacks, IT concerns must be brought to the board of directors, especially since missed regulatory steps could land the CEO in the docks.

Avoid knee-jerk reactions by remaining calm. Panic can cloud your judgment and cause you to panic. It is possible to respond to threat actors, thus making them more likely to make a successful ‘mark.’

Investigation, evaluation, and mapping of the crisis can be done by bringing in outside incident response expertise. The threat actor should not be engaged alone.

The backup environment should be segmented from the network and separated from it.

To prevent the spread of the attack, disconnect employees from email and the server. It would have been possible to reduce the scale of several supply chain attacks this way.

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Find out where the attack is coming from by assessing your environment.

Avoid backdoor eradication and remediation at all costs. It might tip off the threat actor that someone is keeping an eye on them if mitigation activities are undertaken in this manner. To prevent further risk and detect any backdoors that might have been missed, make sure the remediation process is comprehensive, and support it with tailored monitoring efforts.

Are there any examples of organizations that have successfully mitigated the impact of ransomware attacks using ransomware negotiation services?

As a result of ransomware negotiations, companies are less likely to lose money, cybersecurity professionals have more time to uncover the threat, and ultimately ransoms can be reduced at an accelerated pace. Negotiators can use that to deter threat actors, minimise ransoms or avoid paying anything at all.

It is becoming more common for cyber security professionals to encounter cyberattacks where both the virtual and physical world is impacted, and a ransom must be paid.

In parallel with existing work streams, the company hired cyber security professionals to investigate and contain the threat while recovering and negotiating with the threat actors. To ensure our containment team was targeting the right domain, our negotiation experts-built trust and empathy with the threat actor.

The cyberattack origin was traced to a sister company within the group after they uncovered the entry point and lateral movement vectors of the attack. A supply chain attack is when external companies share systems for efficiency, but unknown to them, these systems can also be exploited and spread like wildfire by threat actors.

Our ‘secure island’ environment can be recovered by cyber security professionals, so the ransom isn’t required. Within two weeks of the initial compromise, we also remedied the vulnerabilities to prevent reoccurrences of the attack.

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In what ways do law enforcement agencies collaborate with ransomware negotiators?

Law enforcement agencies are frequently consulted by ransomware negotiation teams. To understand the scope of the attack domain, refine the TTPS of the adversarial group and speed up the containment process, this effort is mainly focused on understanding the extent of the attack domain.

What to Expect from Ransomware Negotiations

Negotiating with ransomware attackers or paying the ransom is generally not recommended. As a result, further ransomware attacks may be encouraged. In addition to supporting the attackers’ criminal activity, paying the ransom puts your organization at risk of being targeted again.

Even if you pay the ransom, there is no guarantee that the attackers will provide the decryption key. To ensure that the risks and potential consequences of paying are properly considered, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Cryptocurrencies and encrypted communication channels are often used for ransomware attacks and payments. Communication is usually conducted through an encrypted chat or email service provided by hackers. Talk to the adversary about additional communication channels and methods. In this situation, try to establish a mutually trusting communication line with the attackers.

Keep a record of all communications, including instructions for paying the ransom, if you decide to negotiate with the attackers and pay the ransom. Investigations into this attack may be aided by this information.

Decrypt several random files and ask the attackers to demonstrate the decryption key. By doing so, you can be sure you are dealing with the actual attackers and not a third party.

Find out what the attackers have done in the past and their behavior. It may help to increase your confidence in the negotiation if the attackers have been known to negotiate or provide the decryption key after receiving payment in the past. It may also give you leverage to negotiate a lower price.

How to Handle Ransomware Negotiation 1

Our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment can put your IT to the test against other Toronto managed IT services providers.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  offers Toronto award-winning services including:

We Make IT Simple!