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Top 3 Supply Chain Risk Misconceptions

Supply chain attacks are a primary concern for businesses nowadays. With technology becoming increasingly advanced, businesses like yours must ensure there are no vulnerabilities in the supply chain.

Unfortunately, many companies still believe in certain misconceptions about supply chain risk management, which can be dangerous and lead to severe consequences. In this blog, we’ll examine some of the most common misconceptions about supply chain risks and how you can address them.

By being aware of these misconceptions and taking proactive steps to tackle them, you can help protect your business and customers from the risks posed by your supply chain network.

Keep an eye out for these Misconceptions

Misconception #1

Supply chain attacks only pose a risk to large corporations, and smaller businesses don’t need to be concerned.

Fact

Supply chain attacks pose a severe threat to businesses of all sizes — not just large enterprises with significantly valuable assets. Most supply chain attacks involve hackers infiltrating a single supplier in the supply chain and impacting multiple businesses, including smaller ones.

In fact, smaller companies may be more vulnerable to these attacks due to limited resources for securing their systems. Even if a small business lacks large amounts of valuable data, it can serve as an entry point for hackers targeting larger organizations with which it collaborates. Businesses of all sizes must prioritize supply chain security to protect against these deceptive attacks.

Misconception #2

Standard cyber defenses are enough to protect against supply chain attacks.

Fact

Supply chain attacks frequently target the trust between an organization and its suppliers. It’s easier for attackers to gain access to sensitive information or systems by exploiting the trust factor. These attacks can be challenging to protect against, and standard security measures may not be adequate.

Organizations must implement comprehensive risk management strategies that consider the unique challenges posed by these types of threats to defend against them. This may include measures such as regularly reviewing and updating supplier agreements, implementing robust security protocols and conducting regular assessments of all suppliers’ security posture.

Misconception #3

Vendors and suppliers have security measures in place to protect their systems and data.

Fact

While some of your vendors and suppliers may have measures in place, it’s not enough to blindly assume that they have everything under control. You can’t know what security practices and policies are in place unless you have a thorough and consistent vetting process.

Keep in mind that when it comes to supply chain risk management, the vulnerabilities within your supply chain network can directly impact your business and its bottom line. For example, if one of your suppliers experiences a data breach, it could have severe consequences for your organization.

That’s why it’s crucial to understand the security measures that your vendors and suppliers have in place. Don’t leave your security to chance — thoroughly vet your supply chain to ensure a secure network.

Collaborate for success

If you’re not sure how to protect your supply chain without taking more time away from your packed schedule, don’t worry. Working with an IT service provider like us can help protect your business from supply chain misconceptions and risks.

From protecting against supply chain attacks and implementing comprehensive risk management strategies to thoroughly vetting your supply chain network, we can provide the expertise and resources necessary to ensure the security of your business.

To learn more about achieving supply chain risk management and compliance, be sure to download our infographic titled “How to Achieve Supply Chain Risk Management and Compliance.”

Top 3 Supply Chain Risk Misconceptions

Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk: Your Employees

Cybercriminals work round the clock to detect and exploit vulnerabilities in your business’ network for nefarious gains. The only way to counter these hackers is by deploying a robust cybersecurity posture that’s built using comprehensive security solutions. However, while you’re caught up doing this, there is a possibility you may overlook mitigating the weakest link in your fight against cybercriminals, your employees.

[Read more…] about Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk: Your Employees

What a Top Notch IT Provider Can offer your Business

There are several reasons why small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) like yours can sometimes struggle to meet all your technology needs in one location. One reason is that small businesses often lack the resources of large corporations, so making the most of what you have is essential. Another reason is that small and medium-sized businesses suffer the most from sudden personnel losses and extended leaves of absence.

[Read more…] about What a Top Notch IT Provider Can offer your Business

How to Protect Your Business From a Ransomware Attack

Jimerson Birr, a business law firm with an overarching mission of adding value with every engagement, has assembled a dynamic panel to offer resources and tools to companies for preventing and responding to ransomware attacks.

A successful ransomware attack can cost a business hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in cash, plus weeks of lost productivity and temporary or permanent loss of records, information, and long-term customer trust.

The “Protecting Your Business from a Ransomware Attack” Seminar includes the perspectives of cybercrime forensics expert Toni Chrabot, retired FBI Special Agent in Charge and Risk Confidence Group’s CEO, Doug Lowenthal, CEO of TruTechnology, a NetGain Technologies Company, cyber insurance specialist Vicky Zelen, CEO of Zelen Risk Solutions, Trooper Adam Johnson of the Florida Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence and Florida Highway Patrol Special Services Command, and Lynne Rhode, Esq., Special Counsel for Jimerson Birr. The panel is moderated by the firm’s managing partner Charles B. Jimerson, Esq.

What is a virtual desktop?​

Simply put, a virtual desktop allows you to access programs and secure information from your computer without the programs and information having to be physically stored on your computer. Traditionally, virtual desktops have been expensive and complex. With TruCloud, it’s affordable and simple! Virtual desktops offer complete mobility, increased performance, and enhanced functionality.

Without a virtual desktop, you are resigning yourself to expensive equipment purchases and localized storage. At the same time, you’re opening your business up to possible data breaches. When you opt for a virtual desktop like TruCloud, you’ll benefit from a fast setup and easy scalability, as well as enhanced efficiency, productivity, and security. TruCloud is an efficient, productive, and secure approach to running Windows 10 in the Microsoft Cloud.

Learn more about how TruCloud can bring your business into a modern IT environment to help you scale your business, increase security, and improve remote work.

Avoid Another Crisis: Why Data Backups and Disaster Recovery Should Be Part of Your Hurricane Preparation

Hurricane season hasn’t even officially begun, but we’ve already had two named storms. In fact, forecasters have warned that our upcoming hurricane season is going to be a doozy filled with above-average storm activity. And while we can’t always predict impending crises, we can prepare for them when we have the advantage of knowing they’re coming and it’s just a matter of when. 

Navigating hurricane season can be difficult because every storm is different, and despite predictions, we never really know what to expect. What we do know is this: No one wants to deal with another crisis, especially considering we have yet to come out the other end of our current crisis.

Now, ahead of the 2020 hurricane season, the CDC is sharing advice to help you prepare for the hurricane season during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Their biggest piece of advice? You have to start planning now. 

For us, that means protecting your business so you’re ready when disaster strikes. 

Hurricane Season & Your Business

COVID-19 has impacted the way businesses work, and during this time, we’ve all learned that many businesses weren’t set up for success to handle a crisis. Working from home has highlighted many weak links for businesses, from cybersecurity to data protection, and many have realized just how important it is to have a proactive IT support provider to keep their business protected when they need it most. 

As we prepare for hurricane season during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to acknowledge that although we’re not in the clear from the virus just yet, hurricane season is still coming, ready or not. When it does, how will you make sure your business is protected? 

Hurricane Problems 

Storms and technology don’t mix, but your business doesn’t have to suffer because of it. With an IT support provider working as an extension of your team, you can have confidence knowing that your business will be able to weather the storm. 

COVID-19 has forced many businesses to learn how to function remotely, and just as they’re beginning to think about returning to the office, they have something else to contend with: a severe, rapidly-approaching hurricane season. 

The impact from a storm could create new challenges for how you and your staff work, and how you access your data. You need an IT support provider who will keep your business protected, even in the midst of disastrous circumstances such as flooding, lightning damage, and extended power outages.

Data Backup vs. Disaster Recovery

If you don’t know where to begin, start with the knowledge that data backup and disaster recovery are not the same thing. Data backup is a copy of your data; while disaster recovery is the ability to restore your systems in a usable format in a time-frame that matches your business requirements.. When you live in an area that experiences natural disasters on a regular basis, then you need both data backup and disaster recovery capabilities. 

Our Data Backup & Disaster Recovery Process

Your business should be protected at all times, and you should urgently and proactively protect it with data backup and disaster recovery so you can be prepared before the problem hits.

To keep businesses like yours up and running during a disaster, we have a proactive data backup and disaster recovery process in place that will prevent you from experiencing significant downtime and impact to your business. 

To do this, we run weekly tests to confirm all your systems are healthy and would be fully operational in the cloud when needed. Then, we report back to you with information about your recovery time objective (RTO) so you know exactly how long it would take us to bring you online remotely when you need it most. 

We also report on what you will experience with your recovery point objective (RPO) which is how much data loss exposure you may have from the time of failure to what you have access to in the cloud. Depending on our clients business requirements, this is typically a maximum of one hour.

Avoid Another Crisis: Why Data Backups and Disaster Recovery Should Be Part of Your Hurricane Preparation

You Don’t Have Much Time — Are You Ready?

Hurricane season is just around the corner, and storms are already here. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your business. Take action now to ensure your plan is solid and tested to protect your data in the form of a proven data backup and disaster recovery process. Schedule a call with our team today so we can evaluate your needs to help you navigate through hurricane season with peace of mind.

Cybersecurity & Remote Work

We wish this weren’t the case, but the truth is that cybersecurity issues do not stop for a global pandemic. After all, hackers can work from home, too! If your employees had to quickly transition to remote work, you may be left vulnerable to attacks that could cripple your business. That’s why understanding cybersecurity and your risks is more important now than ever. 

To help you understand your security needs, we’ve put together some recommendations designed to help you and your employees reduce your security risk. 

Equipment Being Left Unlocked or Physically Stolen 

With kids and family members at home with your employees, it’s easy for an unlocked company computer to become an invitation. You don’t want children to accidentally cause a security issue because they innocently want to install a game or school program on a company computer. That’s why it’s important for your employees to password protect their work devices and keep them locked when not in use. Password protection also safeguards company equipment in the unlikely event that the equipment is stolen. 

Securing a Home Network

Many employees are now also relying on their home networks for the internet access they need to complete their daily work. That’s why it’s important that they follow basic security practices for their home network. At the very least, have them make sure their home network is password-protected. Then, if possible, the National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends they have work computers on a separate wireless network. 

Cybersecurity & Remote Work

Phishing, Ransomware, and Malware

Because of the sudden spike in remote work, many employees are no longer protected by their company firewall. That puts employees at greater risk of falling prey to phishing, ransomware, and malware attacks. The best way to lower this risk is through security awareness. 

Even if you’re already following the recommendations above, your staff should also be extra-diligent about not opening attachments from unknown senders. They should also verify any fund transfers over the phone and watch for phishing emails trying to collect their credentials.

Accessing the Company Network 

If you’re like many businesses, your employees require access to databases and resources housed within your company network. And that need for access doesn’t stop just because they’re now working from home. This creates a security risk because devices connecting to those resources from outside the company network are also outside the company firewall. 

There are two types of devices that employees might use to connect to your company network from home: work computers and personal computers. Our recommendations differ depending on what equipment your employees are using. 

Work Computers at Home

For the best at-home security, we recommend employees using work computers at home access their company network using a full-tunnel VPN. A VPN is a virtual private network — it allows devices on the network to access a company’s private resources without the security risks of a public connection. A full-tunnel VPN strengthens that security beyond just accessing company resources and extends it to any internet access at all. As an additional step, make sure that all computers connected to the VPN are still being patched and have up-to-date endpoint security installed. 

Personal Computers at Home

We don’t recommend employees use their personal computers for work since it’s impossible to know if that equipment is secure. But if your current circumstances require it, we have a few recommendations to improve security.

First, don’t allow non-company owned computers to connect to your company’s networks through an unrestricted VPN. Ideally, personal computers should only be used to access work desktops through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). An RDP allows a user to remotely control their work computer, with their home computer simply mirroring the information displayed on their work computer.  

For additional security, make sure any password-protected company resources are accessed using multi-factor authentication. This is critical, as employees using their home devices may unknowingly have keyloggers installed on their home computers. If you’re worried, we offer a free dark web scan

Moving Forward

We understand that the last thing you want to be worrying about in the midst of a global crisis is your company’s cybersecurity, but taking these steps now can help you avoid a potential disaster. Plus, strengthening your company’s cybersecurity now will offer you flexibility and help prepare you for any future scenarios that might require your employees to work remotely. 

To learn more about how to help your team stay effective and secure while working remotely, watch a free recording of our webinar titled “COVID-19 Transitioning to a Remote Workforce.”

Tony Haskew

Project Engineer

Tony Haskew has 15+ years of experience in the IT field. He started working as a web developer in the 90’s and over the years migrated into the administration of systems and infrastructures of companies. 

Tony enjoys working on new technology and finding new ways to address old issues in the management of IT systems.

Outside of work, Tony is a 3D printing enthusiast, commission painter, and enjoys spending time with his family.