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IT Tips & Tricks for Businesses in Austin

Austin, Texas, is a fast-growing city. It’s home to the University of Texas, the Longhorns football team, and a wide variety of vibrant businesses. The city has tons of cultural activities around every corner, with many places to eat and hang out after work.

Already, Austin has recovered 96% of the job losses due to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. A testament to the resiliency of the Austin market, it is also a booming tech hub that some say rivals Silicon Valley. 

With the overt tech presence in Austin, Texas, it’s crucial to engage with managed IT services to increase competition and growth. As industry experts, we’ll give you insight into how you can strategically manage technology for your business’s success.

So, Where Do You Start?

Managed IT services is a broad term used to describe a variety of technology support arrangements that can help improve productivity and lower costs for your company. 

If your Austin business uses managed IT services and you’re not sure if you’re taking full advantage of them, here are some tips and tricks for finding out!

How to Know if You’re Making the Most of Your Managed IT Services

Man and woman business owners reviewing receipts

Find Out Exactly What You’re Paying for

IT providers split managed IT services into different categories and charge according to what you choose. You may not recognize every service included in your managed IT package. Ask your provider for a list of exactly what you’re paying for to figure out which services you need to maximize to challenge local competitors. 

When you know what services you’re receiving, you can better take advantage of them.

Try Additional Managed IT Services

Your managed IT services may include managed backups, cybersecurity, cloud management, and support. If you’re using these tools and it’s not enough, you might need to upgrade your package and add additional managed services. 

Managed IT services are flexible and can scale to your growth. If your business is rapidly growing, but your IT services have stayed the same, it’s time to bring your technology up to speed. It never hurts to ask your managed IT provider for more assistance—you just might need it!

Make Sure You Have the Right Tools & Use Them

Sometimes managed IT services include security tools that you may not know how to use. If your IT provider has given you software tools for detecting viruses, spyware, or malware on your computer, be sure to use them.

It might feel like an inconvenience at first, but it can help protect your identity, data, and business.

Ask About Industry-Specific Services

Some managed IT packages and services are industry-specific, available exclusively for certain types of businesses. For example, medical device companies could benefit from managed service providers with security solutions built specifically for them. If you work in a specialized sector and need specifically tailored solutions, ask your provider how they can best support you. 

If you don’t see the managed services you want in your package, ask your IT provider if they offer it—they might not have it listed but may still be able to help!

Communicate Regularly and Openly

Last but not least, you should feel comfortable communicating with your managed IT provider. IT guys are notorious for tech talk and poor communication, but that’s not the case for MSPs like Terminal B.  

If something is going wrong or you want to ask a question, don’t hesitate to make a phone call or send an email. When you collaborate with your IT provider as a partner rather than a band-aid solution, your business can transform technology from a stumbling block to an invaluable tool that drives growth. 

Make the Most of Your Managed IT Services

If you’re an Austin-based business, making the most of your managed IT services is imperative to success. Don’t wait to reach out! Find managed IT that’s right for you—contact Terminal B today for a consultation!

Getting Remote Setups Right: Leveraging IT Support for Employee Retention

Business owners and executives have so much on their plates it can be hard to capitalize on a secret weapon to employee retention: onboarding. Believe it or not, effective and thorough onboarding has the potential to save your company thousands of dollars and create a strong workforce. 

With the drastic shift to remote work, onboarding is uncharted territory for most companies. This means revisiting your onboarding process and tailoring it for your remote employees is essential for personnel endurance. 

Statistics show that 60% of employees get frustrated with new software. Right from the onset, over half of your new employees are overwhelmed with the new systems they have to join and learn. As IT support professionals, we’ll walk you through getting remote setups right so your employees have a positive onboarding experience, impacting their overall satisfaction. 

What Statistics Show About Onboarding 

If you’re wondering what onboarding could possibly have to do with long-term retention, take a look at what the experts are saying:

  • 69% of employees stay with a company for more than 3 years if they receive exceptional onboarding 
  • 9% of employees leave due to an unsavory onboarding experience
  • 87% of employees are more likely to stay if they feel engaged at the company 
  • Replacing a salaried employee costs a business 6-9 months of the salary

Don’t Confuse Orientation with Onboarding 

While orientation and onboarding are both beginning steps to fully incorporating new employees, don’t mistake orientation for onboarding. 

Orientation is just that–orienting a new employee with the overall setup and their team. It is short and sweet. 

Onboarding can sometimes take up to a year and is an extensive process that includes thorough training, introduction to the company culture, defining expectations, involving the new hire with the team, and transitioning into a fully participating employee. 

Make the Most of Pre-Onboarding

We already know employees need a great onboarding experience and that learning new technology will be a frustrating aspect starting with a new company. 

It’s best to get ahead of the game and make the most of the pre-onboarding stage. This starts the minute your new hire accepts the position. If you’re providing new hires with a computer or other technical equipment, send it right away so they can start on the first day with everything at their disposal. 

Make sure to prep the team to be welcoming and attentive to their needs. Assigning a coworker who can be a compatible mentor with the new team member can significantly improve the experience. Ask IT support to reach out and set up expectations for the first day of onboarding.

Partner with Onboarding IT Support Professionals

Technology is the backbone of the onboarding process and experience. While integrating a new employee into the organization, relying on IT support professionals with exceptional communication skills and abilities to set up remote environments is crucial. 

Terminal B recognizes the importance of onboarding and has expertly crafted a process that bolsters the overall experience, strengthening employee retention and satisfaction. Terminal B’s IT support collaborates with companies to establish employee profiles and create customized solutions with both automated and manual support to consistently provide thorough, accurate, and timely setups for new users anywhere in the world.  

Finding the right IT partner can make or break your onboarding process. It’s imperative to join forces with an expert IT provider with a polished, successful onboarding system. 

Strategize & Offer Continued Support 

More than 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November 2021, yet another massive indication that we’ve shifted to a job seekers market. As businesses reevaluate strategy, it’s crucial not to overlook the role that onboarding plays in a competitive market. 

With refocused efforts on your onboarding practices, reach out to an experienced IT professional today. You can attract new hires, retain your workforce, and offer continued support to your valued employees with Terminal B’s specialized IT support. 

Why the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is Valuable to Private Business

Cybersecurity threats remain a concern for modern private businesses. A data breach attack costs businesses an average of $8.64 million. Companies can implement the best practices, standards, and guidelines to minimize the risks of an infrastructure breach and significant data loss through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework. 

History of the NIST Framework

In February 2013, the federal government formally recognized the vital importance of critical infrastructure in maintaining national and economic security. 

Under the guidance of NIST, governmental officials and private companies convened to mitigate cybersecurity issues, pooling resources to construct a voluntary framework that safeguards critical infrastructure across organizations. 

The NIST cybersecurity framework provides organizations with a prioritized, repeatable, and flexible approach via three strategic components. 

Components of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 

The NIST cybersecurity framework consists of the core, implementation tiers, and profiles. By combining all three components, companies can utilize relevant and clear guidance on managing and optimizing their critical infrastructures. 

  • Core: The framework’s core provides a concise directive on desired cybersecurity outcomes. These recommended methods should closely follow a company’s existing cybersecurity and risk management standards. 
  • Implementation Tiers: Tiers provide companies with the specific contexts required to assess their current perspectives on cybersecurity matters. These help decision-makers determine the urgency for change and the level of response necessary based on factors such as risk and company budget. 
  • Profiles: The framework’s profiles enable companies to align objectives and requirements to the outcomes established in the core component of the process. By doing so, businesses can confidently prioritize the opportunities, decisions, and steps required to achieve the optimal cybersecurity infrastructure. 

NIST Framework for Private Businesses 

The highly customizable structure of the NIST framework enables private businesses to minimize cybersecurity risks according to scale. Specifically, the outcome-driven framework enables companies to reach their desired outcomes regardless of budget, including small startups with a nascent cybersecurity infrastructure.  

With the NIST framework’s core, businesses may access value-added functions to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover. 

  • Identify: Develop the organizational understanding required to optimize the management of cybersecurity risks and their related elements. 
  • Protect: Highlight the desired outcomes across categories such as access control and employee training. 
  • Detect: Discover cybersecurity events through procedures such as continuous security monitoring to improve organizational awareness of risks and system status. 
  • Respond: Facilitate a state of continuous improvement through steps such as response planning analysis and mitigation. 
  • Recover: Drive quick recovery response in cybersecurity events, enabling companies to resume normal operations with minimal downtime. 

The voluntary basis of the NIST cybersecurity framework enables companies to implement the guidelines gradually. Therefore, business owners can effectively prioritize goals and actions, applying the framework according to changing requirements and industry-specific needs. 

Integrating the NIST Framework

Terminal B is an industry expert that helps businesses comply with the latest guidelines within the NIST framework by providing fully managed cybersecurity services. Companies can prevent costly data breaches and promote seamless collaboration between external and internal stakeholders by working closely with the voluntary guidance framework.  

Contact a Terminal B specialist today to discover the most suitable cybersecurity solutions to protect your critical systems. 

5 Predictions for Threats to IT Security Services in 2022

2022 is just around the corner, and cybersecurity threats are not going away. The coming year will present old and new challenges for your IT security services. 

While no crystal ball exists, there are some things we can confidently predict about the coming year. With this knowledge, you can take meaningful steps to safeguard what’s most valuable for your organization.

Here are five predictions for cybersecurity threats in 2022 and what it means for your IT security services: 

1. Mobile Malware Will Hit Companies Hard

Everyone seems to be using Apple Pay and other forms of mobile payments. It’s so easy. Just take out your phone and pay for your coffee, medicine, or an oil change.

And it’s here to stay. The credit card will go the way of the two-dollar bill and the penny. We’ll all be paying with our phones before too long. 

But this means that hackers are attacking phones without reservation. In the last year, one or more employees accidentally downloaded mobile malware at 46% of organizations. This statistic is particularly concerning for businesses with hybrid or remote work environments. Your IT security services will need to increase employee education on downloading reputable mobile payment apps on personal and company devices. 

2. Cryptocurrency Will Continue To Present Major Security Problems

Nobody needs to tell you that crypto is all the rage. Everyone’s investing in it, trading it, and cashing in on it. And they’re doing it on their phones. 

So just like with mobile payments, crypto trading is vulnerable to cyberattacks. Because of the rush to get in on the crypto craze, it’s safe to assume app developers have cut corners in security. And in 2022, experts predict foreign governments will attack crypto trades even more. 

IT security services must track trends in crypto exploitation by hackers and bad actors, especially with businesses heavily invested in this market. 

3. Beware of Ransomware

Ransomware is one of the fastest-growing threats to online security, and cybersecurity stakeholders fully expect it to continue an alarming upward trend. Hackers steal precious data and hold it for ransom, requiring a decryption key, online payment, or cryptocurrency in return for your information. 

Ransomware can completely cripple small and medium-sized businesses and have devastating financial repercussions. From 2019 to 2020, ransomware attacks skyrocketed 158% in just North America. The total cost of the attacks rose 200% from 2019. Combating ransomware in 2022 will require proactive IT security services and an intense focus on comprehensive cybersecurity from every entry point.

4. Email Phishing Scams Will Continue To Be A Threat

Email phishing is not new, and it’s not going away. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were around 800 million COVID-themed phishing emails per day. The number of email phishing scams is only expected to rise in 2022.

Work closely with your IT security services to train employees to determine what is and isn’t a legitimate email. 

5. Deepfake Technology Gets Even Worse

With the ubiquity of fake video and audio, we should only expect deepfake technology to be more aggressive and damaging. Deepfake technology manipulates video and audio to imitate real people, a powerful tool in the wrong hands. Recently, a bank manager transferred $35 million to a fake account after receiving instructions via deepfake technology. 

IT security services must invest in protecting employees from even seeing these kinds of deepfake attempts, but further education is needed. 

IT Security Services: Terminal B

In order to protect your clients, employees, and organization, you’ll need to do even more in 2022 to guard against the cybersecurity threats that plague us all. Start investing in a safer future with Terminal B’s IT security services today.

Are You Prepared for Microsoft Changes?

Early in 2021, Microsoft rocked the IT world by announcing several sweeping changes to its business model. The massive shift towards remote work caused demand for Microsoft’s cloud-based solutions to skyrocket. In just a single year, Microsoft’s annual worldwide revenue surged from $143B to over $168B.

These Microsoft update changes will affect virtually any organization that uses their products, including locally owned businesses, international enterprises, and everyone in between. Therefore, it is vital that all users are prepared for these upcoming Microsoft policy changes. Otherwise, they might quickly find themselves in a financial bind.

Below, our experts discuss each recent change in detail. We highlight how these changes will impact managed service providers and end-point users. Most importantly, we’ll provide a pragmatic solution that businesses can use to prepare for these changes.

Microsoft Recent Changes

Before an organization can appropriately prepare for Microsoft’s changes, it is important to understand what each of these policy updates is. The Microsoft recent changes are as follows:

Subscription Models for Exchange

In the past, Microsoft has offered its business clients the option to purchase Exchange or SharePoint Server solutions as a perpetual model. However, this will no longer be the case as of late 2021.

New clients will only be able to access licenses for Skype for Business Server, SharePoint Server, and Exchange Server by purchasing a subscription license.

Microsoft announced that they will cease to provide extended support for Exchange Server 2013 on April 4, 2023. They will discontinue extended support for the Enterprise Edition of Exchange Server 2016 on October 14, 2025.

While support will continue for several years for these services, organizations that still have a current licensing contract with either Exchange Server 2013 or Exchange Server 2016 must begin to prepare for these changes.

As a general rule, companies that are currently using these services will need to transition their core server applications from on-site solutions to subscription-based services before Microsoft discontinues its extended support.

Failure to plan accordingly could make it difficult to keep company servers secure and functioning properly.

Stand-Alone Licensing

Power Apps are a valuable asset to businesses across the globe. This user-friendly solution allows clients to build custom apps that are designed to serve the unique needs of their businesses.

Currently, Power Apps use rights are included as part of Dynamics 365 and Office 365 free of charge. Unfortunately, Microsoft has adjusted course and will no longer offer Power Apps as a standard component of Office 365 licensing.

By year’s end, Microsoft will begin to incrementally restrict certain Power Apps entitlements. If customers want to continue to use these solutions, they will have to purchase additional licenses for the Power Apps that they’d like to use.

With this in mind, business owners will need to prepare their budgets accordingly, ensuring that they have adequate funding for the licenses required for their teams.

Year-Long Licensing Terms

Perhaps the most significant Microsoft policy change is a transition from month-to-month licensing to annual terms.

While Microsoft is not eliminating the monthly subscription model for their core suite of applications, they are going to charge as much as 35% more for businesses that choose to use this payment option. This will drive up costs significantly for many businesses.

Microsoft wants to encourage long-term commitments so that it can generate more revenue. This change will prompt businesses to purchase core licensing for the entire year instead of adding licenses as needed each month.

Elimination of the Open Licensing Program

Microsoft’s Open License program has been available to small and medium-sized businesses for years. This plan allows qualifying clients to buy perpetual software licenses at a reduced price.

However, Microsoft is eliminating this program starting on January 1, 2022. Commercial clients will not be able to purchase new licenses through the Open License program, nor will they be able to renew existing services at the reduced rates.

Currently, this update is only slated to impact businesses that have between 100 to 250 employees. But Microsoft could further modify its Open Licensing program in the future in a manner that affects large businesses, as well.

Every company that utilizes the Open Licensing program should start to plan ahead so that they can be fully prepared for any additional changes that may be on the horizon.

What These Microsoft Policy Changes Mean for SMBs

These Microsoft policy changes will impact all small to medium-sized businesses that utilize their products. This remains true whether a company purchases Microsoft services directly or acquires them through a managed service provider (MSP).

Companies that rely on MSP services might be particularly concerned about the new updates to Microsoft’s policies.

Due to Microsoft’s changes to its pricing and licensing models, MSPs may be put in a position in which they are no longer profitable. As a result, they may have to increase their prices or may even need to discontinue service for some clients.

The companies that are going to be affected by these changes must act fast to ensure that they avoid any disruptions to their licensing, as well. They should reevaluate their current licensing strategy to ensure that they are getting the most out of their Microsoft subscriptions.

Finally, providers must rethink the ways that they purchase their licenses and software so that they can get the best pricing possible, while still having the licenses necessary to get mission-critical work done.

Preparing for Microsoft Update Changes with Terminal B

If you want to make sure that your organization is fully prepared for the upcoming Microsoft changes, Terminal B can help. Our Austin, TX, firm specializes in providing customized IT support. We provide faster service, concrete technological improvements, and relevant advice to guide your decision-making processes.

Our IT experts will work with you to evaluate the needs of your business. We will help you tackle these Microsoft policy changes head-on so that you can get the software licenses you need at the best price possible. Contact us today so that we can set your business up for success!

5 Elements of an Airtight Disaster Recovery Plan

Both natural disasters and cyberattacks threaten business continuity and longevity every day, independent of company size. Both large and small businesses are at risk if management does not have a clear and robust disaster recovery plan. When it comes to the importance of a disaster recovery plan, statistics tell the story. 

In a study of 150 businesses, 73 percent experienced a power failure that impacted their operations. Over half of these respondents had experienced the power outage within the last year. Half of the companies reported testing their disaster recovery plan only once a year or less. And polls indicate that 68 percent of small business owners don’t have a documented disaster recovery plan for their employees to follow. 

What Is a Disaster Recovery Plan?

A disaster recovery plan is a company document with detailed instructions on what to do in a power outage, natural or man-made disaster, cyberattack, or another kind of disruptive event. This plan explains what to do and provides strategies for working around temporary loss of power or data.

With a solid, efficient disaster recovery plan, your business should be able to continue its primary operations throughout the emergency, resuming full operations as quickly as possible.

Businesses of all sizes need to prepare themselves for any contingency. For example, a worst-case scenario could involve a power outage or weather-related event that causes service disruption or even employee evacuation. It might also involve a criminal attack on the company, either through physical force or cyber hacking and security breaches.

What Can a Good Disaster Recovery Plan Do for Your Company?

  • Limit data loss
  • Provide essential crisis training to employees
  • Mitigate damage to operational systems
  • Minimize operational disruptions
  • Provide alternatives while critical systems are down
  • Pave the way for a smooth transition to full operations
  • Limit economic loss during downtime

Five Essential Components of an Airtight Disaster Recovery Plan

Here are five essentials for creating an airtight strategy for your company.

  1. Make an Inventory of Your IT Tools and Equipment

First and foremost, you’ll want to create an inventory, itemizing a complete roster of all your company’s IT assets. Along with computers, remote devices, and network equipment, your list may include cloud storage, software, essential data, and other tools related to your network.

  1. Assess All Cyber Risks

A cyber risk assessment should identify the components that an outage or attack would most damage or disrupt. This would include all network-dependent elements, such as cloud storage and the sensitive data hackers are most likely to target.  

  1. Prioritize Protections

After assessing your cyber risks, prioritize areas that are most critical to your daily operations. Doing so lets your team focus on these areas first in case of an emergency. Examples would include:

  • Databases with information vital to the infrastructure and finances of your business
  • Databases with sensitive client and employee information
  • Any cloud storage essential to operations
  1. Backup Your Data

One of the most important things you can do is data backup—make external copies of as much information as you can. If possible, keep these copies in a separate, secure place safe from theft or natural disasters like fires or floods.

  1. Choose a Disaster Recovery Solution

The final stage is to choose a data recovery solution for your industry. By using the right tools and the best consulting services, you can ensure that your network operating system and databases have the most secure protection available.

Next Steps 

An efficient plan can successfully guide your company through any worst-case scenario. You can rest assured that your business will survive and thrive with minimal service disruption or data loss by following these protocols. Contact Terminal B today to start formulating your disaster recovery plan! 

Managed IT Services For Macs

Most managed service providers boast expert knowledge when it comes to the average Microsoft network. But as Macs and other Apple products continue to be pariahs in the business world, it is challenging to find trustworthy, knowledgeable managed IT services for Macs.

With Microsoft Windows dominating the PC market for over 20 years, many MSPs will either avoid Apple altogether or provide subpar service while insisting they have the resources to help you. 

If your company uses Mac desktop stations and other Apple gear, you’ll want specific help with Apple managed IT services. Yes, Apple is the gold standard, the “expensive stuff,” but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on IT support to protect and optimize your network. 

It can be hard to come by, but with expert Apple managed IT services, you can not only safeguard your investment in Apple computers and devices but maximize productivity. We’ll go over why it’s hard to find expert help and what to look for in Mac-specific managed IT services. 

Business Myths: Can Macs Be Hacked?

The idea that Macs cannot be hacked has become a prevalent misconception that tricks users into a false sense of security. Of course, cybercriminals can hack Macs. While many experts consider Apple workstations less vulnerable than PCs, they’re still not fully secure. Apple workstation computers can still experience:

  • Viruses
  • Trojans
  • Ransomware
  • DDoS attacks

Nearly any type of attack directed at a PC network can be directed at a Mac network or mixed network. That’s something to keep in mind when setting up and maintaining business systems!

Hard to Find Good Help

When companies need managed IT services for Apple products, they may find it hard to reach a company with the necessary expertise. Some companies will say flat out that they don’t deal with Apple products because they don’t have the right experience or resources. Those are the honest ones. 

On the other hand, some will swear they’re specialists, jump right in, and then provide poor service. It may become evident that they are in over their heads, as you see emerging problems with your Mac systems. If you have an Apple system or hybrid network, Terminal B has years of Apple managed IT services experience. 

Terminal B: Managed IT Services for Macs

Here are some of the major types of managed IT services that are useful in supporting companies using Macs:

User Services 

Terminal B helps with each individual workstation in a business. They provide IT support that streamlines and ensures quality employee operations. Managed IT help for Mac users can include:

  • Reliable use of job-related features
  • Cloud services 
  • Effective runtime and computer operation
  • Collaboration across Apple and Microsoft networks

Cybersecurity 

Managed IT services for Macs should cover cybersecurity practices for this type of network. That may include:

  • Penetration testing
  • Firewall
  • Cybersecurity beyond the perimeter
  • Network monitoring 

Terminal B is also well-versed in standards like HIPAA and NIST’s cybersecurity framework. Whether you’re a government-contracted business with regulatory standards or a private sector business with an interest in compliance, Terminal B can make sure your Apple systems are compliant and safe, guarding your data and your reputation.  

Mobile Device Management 

Mobile device management is more critical than ever with a shift to hybrid work environments or full-time remote working. What about your Apple tablets and smartphones out there in the field? Top-notch managed IT services for Apple should include mobile device management to ensure functionality and cybersecurity.

Contact Terminal B Today 

Contact Terminal B to learn more about their Mac services if you’re searching for exemplary managed IT services for an Apple network or hybrid system. 

5 Things You Should Be Doing to Protect Your Business 

Cybersecurity threats can affect all businesses, from those in healthcare to commercial construction. And, unfortunately, the effects are often detrimental, resulting in significant data loss and client or patient exposure.  

Cybersecurity threats can be proven by the numbers: 

A new study found that 22.8 million people were affected by healthcare security breaches in the first half of 2021. 

In the construction industry, a 49% annual increase in industrial control system (ICS) attacks has occurred. And 68% of construction executives have no cybersecurity measures in place. 

According to the ABA, 29% of law firms have experienced a security breach, an increase from 26% in 2019. 

Attacks on the biotech and pharmaceutical industry increased by 50% between 2019 and 2020 alone. 

How can your company combat these threats? By having a tight security policy that includes training for all who use your systems and data. 

The Solution: Proper Security Training for All 

Security training is essential for any business to perform optimally. After all, one of the greatest threats to your security is mistakes completed in-house by your team members. 

Around 43% of employees are unaware that clicking a suspicious link or opening an unknown attachment is likely to lead to malware. And that same data shows that 1 in 3 believe not securing their devices with a password represents little to no security risk. 

If your employees are still confused about basic security measures, heightened measures such as those required for client-attorney privilege in law and HIPAA in healthcare will be hard to implement. 

Cybersecurity training is essential in building awareness of the cybersecurity threats surrounding your industry and how your employees are responsible for doing their part to mitigate them. 

5 Cybersecurity Training Steps You Should Take to Protect Your Business 

To develop an effective cybersecurity training program or enhance the one you currently have, there are several steps you should take. 

1. Personalize Security Training for Your Business 

Each industry will experience threats in a unique way. For example, healthcare and biotech organizations have been targeted by cybercriminals trying to access COVID-19 vaccine information. This is something construction companies don’t have to face. 

Cookie-cutter security training won’t work against the threats of today. You must personalize security training to fit situations your team is likely to face in their daily work. While this can be as simple as password best practices, it can also include unique situations you’ve identified as possible threats in your industry. 

For example, in a healthcare setting, you’ll need to train electronic health record (EHR) users on how to properly secure patient information. And in a legal setting, you’ll need to remind those who work with clients about safe communication practices to protect attorney-client privilege.  

2. Remind Your Staff of Security Requirements Often

Not everyone in your organization will be tasked with mitigating high-level threats. Instead, many of your employees must simply be aware of how threats occur and what they can do daily to keep them from happening. 

This means reminding your staff of security requirements often. For example, posting security requirements around your office or various departments is a great way to keep security top of mind. You should also hold refresher training often to ensure both new and seasoned employees have what it takes to combat security threats. 

3. Give Opportunities for Practicing Security Measures 

Often, the best way to learn is to be put into a situation where you don’t have a choice but to use your skills. Security simulations are a great tool for practicing security measures within your organization. 

For example, explain a certain threat and allow your team to follow the steps required for a typical response. At the end of the simulation, share whether the threat was mitigated and why or why not. 

4. Engage With Unique Training Methods 

Everyone has heard the collective “sigh” that often comes from a team when asked to complete their annual security training. Unfortunately, boring training can lead to employees simply completing the training without retaining any important information. 

Try various training methods to see what works best for your team. You might try a scheduled simulation as discussed above. Or, you might surprise your team by simulating a real threat outside of training. 

It’s also a great idea to tailor training to fit each department, as each will have its own unique threats to tackle.  

5. Cover All of the Basics 

As you develop your cybersecurity training program, don’t forget the basics. It’s easy to focus on high-level issues when they’re often the most costly. Yet, most of your team will need to understand the simple steps to enhance security such as email best practices, password requirements, and encryption. 

We recommend requiring your team to complete security training frequently, at least every quarter. After all, technology evolves daily and so do cybersecurity threats. 

Enhance Your Security Today With Terminal B 

Beyond security training, fully-managed cybersecurity services offered through Terminal B can help you meet all regulatory requirements while protecting those who matter most: your patients, clients, and customers.

Call us at 512-877-8350 to schedule a consultation today. 

Top Reasons to Migrate Your Company to the Cloud

Businesses and IT enterprises alike are transitioning more from on-site IT systems to the cloud and are likewise making more use of cloud computing consulting services. The global pandemic has added more momentum to the cloud migration trend, with businesses spending 36.4 billion on cloud-based solutions in just three months in 2020. 

But what is the cloud, exactly? Traditionally, business owners and managers have invested in buying IT hardware for their business’s IT infrastructures, such as servers and storage, that are kept and managed on-site. When we talk about the cloud, we are talking about access over the internet operated by dedicated cloud hosts and cloud computing consulting groups.

The job of the cloud hosts is to keep the servers and each client’s business infrastructure running efficiently with the latest data security protocols. Migrating to the cloud isn’t a complex decision when you’re working with a dedicated managed cloud service provider because they function like your own in-house IT department.

Why Companies are Moving to the Cloud

So why are so many companies moving their data and business infrastructure to the cloud? 

The main reasons include: 

  • Lowering IT Costs 
  • Improving Business Agility
  • Better Security 
  • Improving Scalability
  • Storage Space

Below is a little more detail regarding these points.

Lowering IT Costs 

Moving IT infrastructure to the cloud allows businesses to stop wasteful spending on hardware that they may not need. Rather than estimate the future hardware requirements of their business’s IT infrastructure and then purchase or lease the required equipment, migrating to the cloud gives businesses much more flexibility.  

Cloud providers can provide the right amount of IT resources based on the business’s real-time requirements as they migrate more data and infrastructure to the cloud instead of relying on preliminary estimates. This also means that last-minute adjustments are extremely easy to make, and a business’s infrastructure capabilities will not limit its growth in the future.

Improving Business Agility 

The global economy demands that businesses run at peak performance without interruptions. And when a problem occurs, companies can no longer afford to wait days, weeks, or even months on new hardware or a hardware specialist.

Migrating to the cloud improves a business’s agility because when an issue occurs, there is a fully qualified IT professional on the other end of the cloud who can diagnose the problem and provide instant fixes. This accessibility reduces unwanted downtime and interruptions for a more agile and resilient system. 

Better Security 

One of Deloitte’s latest surveys of over 500 IT executives showed that security and data protection were the number-one reasons businesses migrated to the cloud. 58 percent of their respondents ranked security and data protection as a top priority, which is understandable since the cloud allows companies to: 

  • Modernize IT infrastructure for better protection.
  • Implement the latest best practices in data protection.
  • Gain access to 24/7 monitoring services from their cloud provider.
  • Customize their IT security based on their particular operation. 
  • Leverage the latest technologies as new security innovations appear.

Business Scalability and Storage

Business growth relies on organic expansion, mergers, or acquisitions, and infrastructure must keep up with increasing demand. New investments need to be integrated into existing business platforms. Cloud computing consulting groups and cloud storage makes growth processes seamless and can also provide businesses instantly with additional storage space as they need it.

A Complete Guide: Upcoming Changes to Microsoft 365

Microsoft Office software has gone through many generations and updates throughout the years, but big ones are happening this year and next. Find out how the one-time purchase 2021 version of Microsoft Office differs from previous versions and how the Office 365 price increase may affect you in 2022.

Microsoft Office 365 Price Increase

The Microsoft team announced on August 19, 2021, that there would be price increases for Office 365 in addition to a name change to Microsoft 365. There haven’t been any significant upgrades in pricing in 10 years, so the company has been careful to explain all the key features, developments, and deliverables to reflect this change.

The current Office Suite includes 24 apps, accessible as a subscription-based service (Microsoft 365) or as a one-time purchase, known as Office 365. 

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Price Increase in 2022

While the Microsoft 365 price increase isn’t a major one, it affects its range of commercial products. Here are some price changes you can expect to see starting March 1, 2022.

  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic: 15-20% increase
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium: 10% increase
  • Office 365 E1: 25% increase
  • Office 365 E3: 15% increase
  • Office 365 E5: 5-10% increase
  • Microsoft 365 E3: 10-15% increase

These are the global price changes for commercial products. Microsoft has announced that there won’t be any changes to consumer or education products and that local market adjustments may affect these prices in different regions.

Why Microsoft 365 Prices Are Increasing

Microsoft identifies three areas of improvements that prompted the price increases: 

  • Automation
  • Communications and Collaboration
  • Security and Compliance

These three changes add value for all commercial users, and increased value means increased cost. Whether you choose to use the new collaboration functionality or enjoy the improved safety features, you’re accessing innovative tools that Microsoft has specially crafted with their customers’ needs in mind.

Changes to Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 currently has over 300 million paid seats for its commercial product. Both Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams were introduced four years ago to streamline workflow for businesses. In its press release about the upcoming changes, Microsoft highlighted three main pillars:

AI-Enhanced Productivity

Modern AI capabilities have dramatically improved over the past decade, whether you’re creating maps, sorting emails, organizing tables, or transcribing videos. These features help you achieve your goals in less time and with fewer tedious tasks.

Improved Security and Compliance Features

Across industries, businesses need to remain safe and comply with various regulations. For example, the medical field is preoccupied with the HIPAA Security Rule when it comes to collaborative technology. Data loss prevention, message encryption, mobile data management, and other powerful features are ubiquitous technology needs that help you stay up-to-date with the latest security. 

Microsoft 365 is aware that your business is at risk if personal health information, data storage, and safety features fail to meet the minimum compliance standards. They have continually adjusted security measures and capabilities to comply with regulations, reduce the risk for your organization, and beat cybercriminals. 

Dynamic Communication and Collaboration

Microsoft Teams is the cornerstone of collaboration in the Office suite. There are many more collaborative applications you can take advantage of, however, including the following:

  • SharePoint
  • Planner
  • Power Platform
  • Forms
  • Shifts

How This Affects Small Businesses and MSPs

Both small businesses and managed service providers, or MSPs, will be particularly affected by these changes. There are two key ways that these changes will affect these organizations:

  1. Cost may become a limiting factor.
  2. Enhanced features will be available.

Even these small increases in Microsoft 365 are significant for small business owners and MSPs. The cost can add up if you’re signing up dozens or hundreds of commercial users.

Both small businesses and MSPs, however, will benefit from the enhanced features. The AI integration and collaborative tools alone could create the workplace efficiency needed to cover the cost, and greater levels of security help businesses stay compliant.

Office 365 Versus Microsoft 365

Another significant change besides the Microsoft 365 price increase is the introduction of flat pricing. Microsoft has been using both Office 365 and Microsoft 365 names to describe the same subscription-based bundle of tools, but now they’re rebranding the service. Office 365 is available as a one-time purchase as of October 5, 2021, while Microsoft 365 will remain the cloud-based subscription service.

One-Time Purchase vs. Cloud-Based Approach

Office 365 is a one-time purchase that offers a Long Term Servicing Channel, or LTSC, option for commercial users, as well as a personal use option.

The cloud-based version, even with the increased pricing, may be more beneficial for some users. Choosing the subscription approach ensures you always have the latest version, including the latest safety features. It will continue to update to work with newer versions of Windows and includes a whole host of features.

Choose Office 365 if you’re looking for a more affordable approach that doesn’t require continual payments. If your organization only uses a limited range of tools and features, Office 365 may be a more affordable solution than Microsoft 365.

Find Out How the Changes Will Affect Your Business

From the Office 365 price increase to the enhanced compliance and collaboration tools, there are a lot of changes occurring in 2021 and 2022 for your company. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the latest features of Microsoft 365, or want to learn more about the pros and cons of both models, contact us at Terminal B for more information.

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