IT Security Solutions For Proactive Computer Maintenance

Monica Morris • November 14, 2019

Recently it was discovered the email system for the City of San Marcos was shut down due to a cyber attack. As a local company who provides San Diego IT services and IT security solutions across North County San Diego we found this to be pretty huge since this attack hit so close to home. After all we are based in San Marcos also.

This attack on the City of San Marcos did in fact cause some down time and loss of productivity. There was a period of time employees of the city were not able to communicate with a portion of the public. Thankfully the communication between emergency services in San Marcos were not affected. However, we did learn members of the San Marcos community who normally solved certain matters by email needed to go to the City of San Marcos office and receive help in person. This is just one example of how a cyber attack can cause an interruption in a system and put a halt to day to day productivity.

Unfortunately cyber crimes are a very common attack on several business systems. Proper computer maintenance can lead to a lesser chance of becoming a victim of these types of attacks.

Here are some IT security solutions to help stay proactive when it comes to computer maintenance and fighting off potential hackers:

Daily Monitoring of Computer Systems

Who is keeping a close eye on your most sensitive data? Daily monitoring is important and contributes to proactive computer maintenance. Daily monitoring can include running anti-virus software, malware protection, daily backups and managed firewall protection.

 

Email Protection

Another proactive IT security tool is email protection. Take a moment to think about – what are you doing to make sure your email is the most safe it can be. Moreover, what is the message you are sending to your staff. Are you providing them with the tools to identify if an email is safe to open or not.

Email security and spam filtering is a necessity to stay safe. Make sure your email security is set at the highest level. In addition, phish testing for employees is another helpful IT security tool. This type of testing is used to help monitor the level of cyber security awareness among your staff.

 

Backing Up Your Cloud

It is common to ponder since Office 365 and Google G suite are in the cloud that they are simply already being backed up. Unfortunately this is not the case. Your files that you and your team members are uploading to the cloud are not automatically being backed up.

For example, if you were to be hacked and your cloud program is not backed up, data may be lost or most likely not retrievable. An important IT security solution to consider is backing up the data saved in Office 365 or Google G suite. A managed IT service provider can help provide the proper cloud security backup service for these programs.

 

Cybersecurity Training For Your Staff

Help your staff learn how to identify when an email does not look safe. By providing cyber security training for your staff, this can help gain awareness for signs of a suspicious email. Provide your staff with the support and resources to learn how to identify a phishing email. Employees should know the signs of something phishy. Any type of security threat needs to be reported to your managed IT service provider or outsourced IT support company immediately.

 

Dark Web Monitoring

The Dark Web is a location on the internet that is not indexed regularly by search engines. It is a hidden network that cannot be found through normal browsers. If your company is hacked and data is stolen – this data could end up on the dark web.  It could become part of a trade for further criminal engagements. Monitoring the dark web is a form of proactive computer maintenance.

By monitoring the dark web, you can learn if any information is being shared about your company. Furthermore, you can discover potential targets or hacking strategies by sophisticated cyber attackers. You may be able to eavesdrop on such conversations. And possibly put together strategies to defend your business and keep it safe before a hacker can attack.

 

Being proactive and using the IT security solutions mentioned above can be useful tools to help fight off hackers. Having a fully managed, security firewall or helping your staff learn how to spot fake harmful emails contributes to a strong IT security program. To learn more about how to keep your most sensitive information safe please contact us today.

 

February 5, 2025
Protecting sensitive data is more critical than ever before. As cyber threats continue to rise, governments and regulatory bodies have introduced compliance frameworks to ensure businesses take appropriate measures to safeguard data. However, understanding these requirements can be overwhelming, especially since they vary by industry and location. We'll discuss some of the most common IT security compliance frameworks—such as HIPAA, CMMC, and CCPA—and explain their relevance to different industries. Whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, or serving California residents, this guide will help you navigate the complex world of IT security compliance.
October 23, 2024
In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than just a necessity—it's essential to business survival. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and evolving in sophistication, leaving companies vulnerable to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A robust cybersecurity strategy is critical to safeguarding your business from these growing threats. One of the most effective ways to enhance your cybersecurity defenses is by leveraging the expertise of professional IT support services. The Importance of a Strong Cybersecurity Strategy Every business, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, ranging from financial losses and operational downtime to legal liabilities and damage to your brand's reputation. This is why developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity strategy is more important than ever. A strong cybersecurity strategy helps your business: Protect sensitive data: Safeguarding customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. Ensure compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC2, to avoid fines and legal repercussions. Maintain business continuity: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyberattacks and ensuring quick recovery when incidents occur. Build customer trust: Demonstrating to customers and partners that their data is secure, which can lead to stronger relationships and business growth. While some businesses attempt to handle cybersecurity internally, IT support services offer a more comprehensive, proactive, and scalable approach to protecting your business. Cybersecurity Services Provided by IT Support Teams IT support services can significantly enhance your cybersecurity strategy by offering a wide range of specialized services. Here’s how they contribute to protecting your business: 1. Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Audits One of the first steps in strengthening your cybersecurity strategy is understanding where your business is most vulnerable. IT support teams conduct risk assessments and vulnerability audits to identify potential weaknesses in your network, applications, and infrastructure. These assessments provide a clear picture of your business's risks, enabling you to take targeted action to mitigate those risks. 2. Implementation of Security Protocols Once vulnerabilities are identified, IT support services implement security protocols tailored to your business’s needs. This may include: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Establishing barriers that prevent unauthorized access to your network. Data Encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protecting it from cybercriminals. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding extra authentication layers ensures that only authorized personnel can access critical systems and data. Endpoint Protection: Securing all devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones) connected to your network from malware and other threats. Applying these and other security measures can help IT support services fortify your defenses against internal and external threats. 3. Ongoing Monitoring and Threat Detection Cyberattacks can happen at any time and often occur when businesses are least prepared. IT support services provide 24/7 monitoring to detect suspicious activity in real-time. Through advanced monitoring tools and threat intelligence, IT teams can quickly identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate into full-scale attacks. This proactive approach to monitoring reduces downtime, prevents data breaches, and minimizes the impact of cyber incidents. IT support teams can continuously update and patch systems to address emerging vulnerabilities, ensuring your cybersecurity defenses remain current. 4. Incident Response and Remediation Even with robust security measures, no system is entirely immune to cyberattacks. When an incident occurs, the speed and efficiency of the response are critical in minimizing damage. IT support teams are equipped with incident response protocols to quickly isolate affected systems, investigate the root cause, and restore normal operations. With a well-coordinated incident response plan, businesses can significantly reduce downtime, prevent further data loss, and recover quickly from attacks. 5. Security Awareness Training for Employees Employees are often the weakest link in cybersecurity, with many attacks originating from phishing schemes, weak passwords, or social engineering. IT support services provide security awareness training to educate your staff about the latest cyber threats and best practices for staying safe online. Training employees on recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and securely handling sensitive data can dramatically reduce the likelihood of human error leading to a security breach. 6. Compliance Support For businesses in regulated industries, staying compliant with data protection regulations is not optional—it’s mandatory. IT support teams can help ensure your business meets all necessary compliance requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, or SOC2. This includes maintaining audit trails, ensuring data encryption, and implementing security controls to protect sensitive information. By working with IT support services, businesses can avoid costly penalties and demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data. Conclusion A strong cybersecurity strategy is vital to any business's success in today’s digital world. By partnering with an IT support service, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity defenses through risk assessments, security protocol implementation, continuous monitoring, and employee training. These services protect data and help ensure business continuity and compliance with industry regulations. If your business wants to strengthen its cybersecurity posture, now is the time to consider working with an IT support provider. Doing so lets you stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and focus on growing your business with peace of mind. Ready To Strengthen Your Cybersecurity With SDTEK? Don't leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats. At SDTEK, we offer comprehensive IT support and managed cybersecurity services designed to protect your business and ensure seamless operations. Whether you need risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, or incident response, our team of experts is here to help. Contact SDTEK today for a free consultation and discover how we can enhance your cybersecurity strategy and safeguard your business. Protect your data, reputation, and future—partner with SDTEK now!
Share by: