Author name: admin

  Cybersecurity – Working From Home, how safe are you? Many are now working from home, making video conference calls, uploading documents and conducting their daily business online. But experts are wondering if the remote nature of work could cause extra internet security concerns down the road. While most workers are used to working at the office under carefully crafted IT systems, it’s impossible to quantify the number of permutations of home internet setups. Where one household could have a simple solution that works for their family, another household could have a virtual private network (VPN) subscription in place to mask their internet usage from prying eyes. To help you reduce the security risks you may be taking while working from home, we’ve collected some tips from experts on steps you can take to fortify your digital workspace. 1: Pay Careful Attention Be diligent in everything you do. In the past, only around 15% of people worked from home, so IT teams could tailor security systems to protect corporate information. With companies now allowing up to 95 percent of their staff to work from home, it’s a lot more complex. You need to keep a close watch for anything out of the ordinary that could indicate someone has access to your system. Read up on your company’s IT security policies and procedures, and report any problems and issues to your help desk as soon as you spot them. 2: Update Your Passwords Check all your passwords and update them if you haven’t done so recently. This is especially important if you’re still using a default factory-issued password anywhere. Keep your passwords private and store them securely using an encrypted password manager, and don’t leave it open on your computer when you’re not at home. The Hackers out there know how often people ignore this issue, and they target the weak infrastructure in people’s homes to try to get into the corporations they work for. 3: Watch Out for Scams Watch out for strange emails asking for information. Never open any unsolicited email attachment until you’ve confirmed with the person who sent it to you, because just one click or download can lead to a malware infection or loss of data, and impact your financial health. 4: Verify All Hyperlinks In the office, it’s easy to walk up the corridor and ask someone if they sent you that suspicious-looking email. That option is gone with WFH. Hover over every link before clicking it to see if it looks authentic, and scrutinize the email it came with to check for signs of phishing. If you have any doubts at all then look at the domain in the URL and google it to verify it independently before you do anything further. Some adversaries create links that look very similar to the real thing, so be careful! 5: How safe is your IT equipment ? If you’ve had some of your IT equipment for a long time, search for the brand and model online to see if there are ways to harden and secure the devices. Don’t share the devices you use for working from home with other people, and download any software updates and patches that are available for your devices. If you are unsure on how to do this, speak to one of our team and we will ensure your systems are up to date. 6: Protect Video Meetings We don’t hide the fact that we are not a fan of Zoom and as reported in the press worldwide, thousands of peoples security has been severely compromised of late. Work remotely and securely with online meetings, with Microsoft Teams. Now more than ever, people need to know their virtual conversations are private and secure. With Microsoft Teams, privacy and security are never an afterthought. It’s their commitment to us all —not only during this challenging time, but always. Our experienced teams at Cirrus can get Teams all set up and running for you in no time at all and also train and educate you on getting the best possible experience using TEAMS. Working from home securely and collaboratively. If you feel your working from home strategy needs further bolstering or security measures need reviewing, then call or contact our team of experts for further help. 0330 313 0966 hello@thinkcirrus.co.uk  

BGR Reports that Zoom has broken a major GDPR Breach and has leaked thousands of email addresses and photos! read the full story Below:

WHO LAUNCHES WHATSAPP NEWS UPDATES

WARNING COVID-19 SPAM EMAILS Reports are showing a high amount of spam emails pretending to be official sources and updates of Corona Virus information Here’s some of the emails you should be looking out for and be wary of. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51838468 IF YOU ARE UNSURE……DON’T OPEN IT!!!!! CIRRUS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS ARE STILL WORKING, PROVIDING OUR FULL MANAGED IT SERVICES. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS, OUR SOECIALIST TEAM ARE HERE TO HELP HELLO@THINKCIRRUS.CO.UK http://www.thinkcirrus.co.uk

‪#COVID19: Cybercriminal gangs are targeting healthcare professionals with phishing emails about “coronavirus awareness” – part of a wave of scams capitalising on the pandemic.

Half of employers not geared up for remote ‘smart’ working, amid coronavirus fears NEWS : IT company offer FREE help during Corona Virus OUTBREAK to Businesses  Forty eight per cent of businesses in the UK are not in any way set-up to be able to accommodate workers who may need to self-isolate – should they display any symptoms. Cirrus Technology solutions based in Chester is offering all Businesses in the Midlands and Northwest  it’s services free of charge to help with the economical strain the Corona virus is having on Businesses. With the increase in numbers daily, the question of employees being quarantined and not able to go into work – Managing Director Anito Lauriello , has decided to step in and try and help. With major companies like Amazon, Twitter Microsoft keeping employees away and remote working – businesses should be prepared whatever their size . As the deadly coronavirus continues to spread worldwide, organizations are looking to keep employees healthy and businesses running. To combat this Cirrus is offering FREE remote set up for businesses !  These include : Corona Virus Impact Business Help Remote working in the form of systems and phones 1. Get your files from anywhere 2. Phone diverted to wherever you are working 3. Stay productive 4. Keep connected 5. Maintain productivity 6. Good for employees and employers alike 7. We can get you setup today  Anito Managing Director says “With the uncertainty rising in the UK , businesses are getting increasingly worried about the impact the Corona virus is going to have on their businesses. I have decided to offer our services to help companies set up remote working for their employees free of charge, to try and help reduce some of the pressures for other businesses like my own.”  “Hopefully, it may not be needed, but it’s best to have the systems in place should it be required, to try and reduce the impact on their business as much as possible” If you would like more information please contact:  Cirrus Technology Solutions http://www.ThinkCirrus.co.uk Tel: 0330 313 0966

Google’s users in the UK will no longer be protected by Europe’s strict GDPR Google is planning to move its British users’ accounts out of the control of European Union privacy regulators, placing them under U.S. jurisdiction instead, sources said. The shift, prompted by Britain’s exit from the EU, will leave the sensitive personal information of tens of millions with less protection and within easier reach of British law enforcement. The change was described to Reuters by three people familiar with its plans. Google intends to require its British users to acknowledge new terms of service including the new jurisdiction. Ireland, where Google and other U.S. tech companies have their European headquarters, is staying in the EU, which has one of the world’s most aggressive data protection rules, the General Data Protection Regulation. Google has decided to move its British users out of Irish jurisdiction because it is unclear whether Britain will follow GDPR or adopt other rules that could affect the handling of user data, the people said. So, what could this mean for UK Google users? If British Google users have their data kept in Ireland, it would be more difficult for British authorities to recover it in criminal investigations. The United States has among the weakest privacy protections of any major economy, with no broad law despite years of advocacy by consumer protection groups. In a nutshell, Privacy for UK google users is a great concern following this news Anito Lauriello Managing Director of Cirrus Technology solutions says “Google stores more personal and business data than anyone else on the planet! We are leaving the EEC but we have fully adopted all the Eu laws into British laws even after we leave and they all still apply UNTIL the UK chooses to start removing or altering them! It would be wise for the UK government to fully establish GDPR and to state fully that its still applies to all UK citizens and Google cannot circumvent that.” ​ Lauriello goes on to say ” What concerns me is that there are many businesses out there that probably keep confidential documents on Google Drive, some describing products or services that could be competitive to Google. Would Google misuse this change in data protection to access that data covertly under the pretence of social good/crime fighting etc, even if there was no such threat? My opinion is that Google taking this action is almost certainly based on grabbing more data” On the plus side UK/EU business would likely move to Microsoft in order to protect their data! If you would like to discuss your Data Storage options, then drop us an email hello@thinkcirrus.co.uk Google’s users in the UK will no longer be protected by Europe’s strict GDPR

With Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis having caused widespread damage to many homes and businesses, it really is so important to have a disaster recovery and data back up in place. We are very aware of the ongoing issues that extreme weather is having an effect on Business. Let’s talk about top tips for disaster recovery planning. Disaster recovery sounds deadly serious and scary, but it’s simple really. The key to Disaster Recovery success is having a set of objectives that are realistic and just right for your business.  Essentially, you need to think about three things – planning, preparation and technology. I know it might sound simple, but a Disaster Recovery plan needs to represent all functional areas within I.T. and across your business before, during, and after a disaster. It needs to include applications, networks, servers & storage. Contingencies, such as “what-if” scenarios should be considered as part of planning process. Decisions need to be made regarding levels of disruption that will constitute a disaster, downtime and loss tolerances. This plan needs to be written down and accessible. Analyse impact, understand risks and prioritise recoverability. Here are some top tips to follow to help with your disaster recovery planning: Disaster Recovery is an INVESTMENT – not a cost Data protection and recovery requirements may seem too expensive and Disaster Recovery is considered a particularly heavy expense, one that most organisations have a great deal of difficulty absorbing. However, think about it – being able to address the I.T. cost for Disaster Recovery is an issue of integrating Disaster Recovery into standard operations as much as possible. Ideally, the Disaster Recovery resources and equipment are not viewed as technologies that are sitting idle. Ultimately, this comes down to making an informed decision of either spending money or accepting risk. Newer technologies are emerging that make this more cost effective. Regardless, Disaster Recovery needs to be treated as an investment. It is an insurance policy. Realistic Disaster Recovery Objectives Prioritise your Disaster Recovery policy. Business continuity is important for any company, no matter how big or how small. However, in fact, some small business may feel it more because they don’t have the man power or infrastructure in place to be able to deal with an emergency. So, lets looks at the Disaster Recovery capabilities and resources of your business.  Are your goals attainable? If something goes down, how long do you expect it to take to be up and running again? Depending on the size of your business you might already know this, but for the novices out there it is important to set realistic Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO). Question. When does the clock start ticking and what tolerance is permissible for an outage? Those are Recovery Point Objectives to consider.  As for the Recovery Time Objectives, ask yourself how current is the data prior to the disaster? These are the key matrix items that need to be determined and supported. It is important to examine whether the infrastructure can support the goals. Keep the Disaster Recovery Plan Current Disaster Recovery planning needs to be part of the day-to-day operations of the I.T. environment and even though it is an exception, it should always be at the forefront of people’s minds. Once the Disaster Recovery plan is created, it needs to be maintained and updated every time anything changes within the I.T. environment. The dynamic nature of I.T. and technology ensures that the Disaster Recovery plan will fail if the management of the plan is not part of change management. Test The Disaster Recovery Plan! The Disaster Recovery plan needs to be tested regularly to ensure the business can recover the operation successfully and in a timely fashion. Disaster Recovery testing is a major challenge for most IT departments, but if recovery has not been tested all the way to the application level, it is very likely that problems will occur. Even though a Disaster Recovery test is a major operational disruption it shouldn’t be treated as a pro forma exercise but needs to include true end-to-end testing all the way to production. The focus needs to be on recovering applications rather than servers since with today’s complex applications, client server and web-based multi-tier applications, the components reside on multiple servers thus there are interdependencies between these. If disaster recovery has not been tested all the way to the application level, it is very likely that problems will occur. The philosophy for Disaster Recovery testing needs to change. Basically the approach used for software quality testing should be adopted, where finding bugs is a positive thing. Finding problems in Disaster Recovery is equally positive as long as these issues are resolved to eliminate problems during a real disaster. Disaster Recovery Risk The Disaster Recovery plan needs to address the right risks. Disaster recovery is essentially an insurance policy. How much and what kind of insurance is needed? What sort of risks is the organisation willing to take? The definition of what constitutes a disaster that is covered by the plan has to be considered. Many recent disasters were floods but various kinds of other weather activity and fires need to be considered as well. There are elements within the organisation’s environment that need to be considered from the standpoint of what constitutes a disaster. A site outage, application outage, or even a server outage could constitute a disaster for an organisation. Disaster Recovery BACKUPS What happens when the backups don’t work? For many, tape backup is still the primary medium for disaster recovery, certainly for off-site disaster recovery. Who uses tapes anymore?  As an alternative, replication across a WAN is growing, but it might be too costly an option for some businesses. Application recover-ability must be validated through the recovery of backups to the application level. Get in touch today to discuss how Cirrus can assist you with your Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) and give you peace of mind.

Is your IT stressing you out?… Think Cirrus Technology Solutions Is your IT stressing you out? Think Cirrus Technology Solutions. Stressed out of not having enough resources to set up a modern IT department? Well, you can outsource your tasks to a managed IT service provider! Managed IT service is a phrase that keeps cropping up in the business world, but what does it mean? What are the benefits of going this route? Let’s look into these and more in detail. What Managed IT Services Means In a business world driven by technology, you need tech to keep you running smoothly. A tech team will diagnose your systems and solve problems in both hardware and software. But what if you can’t afford to have an in-house tech support team? That’s where managed IT services come in. For a flat-rate monthly or yearly fee, you can get that tech support your business is craving without having to spend too much. Let’s look at some common managed IT services for businesses. Common Managed IT Services for Businesses 24-hour maintenance  Every business yearns for smooth operations, regardless of whether it is purely online or has physical offices. If you have never been at peace where IT-related tasks are concerned, consider a managed IT service. You are bound to get a team of experts who can handle all IT-related chores such as updating the software, troubleshooting, removing bugs, installing new programs, and maintaining data security, etc. That said, make sure that you only work with one of the most reputable managed service providers around. Working with the right managed IT service provider will lead to smoother operations in your business Network monitoring  Communication is vital for a seamless flow of business activities. However, when there are undetected and unresolved network issues, you are likely to frustrate customers and even lose some. Skilled IT support teams know about the essence of network communication in business.  They monitor networks all the time and are swift to recognize issues even before they affect your processes. But they don’t just identify the problems; they also fix the issues to prevent costly complications.  Data backup  Think about the one time you lost a phone or an important document. How was the experience? Now imagine losing all the business data you have strived so hard to store. That would be a huge blow that you probably don’t even want to imagine. If you have not backed up the data, it is synonymous with waiting for the incident. You ought to make smart choices with your business data. The best way is to sign-up with the right managed IT services provider for help if you don’t have the expertise to handle data in-house. Unified communication channels  A managed IT service firm can also help you set up and maintain a unified communication channel. This means that instead of juggling between your office phone, instant messenger, emails, and voicemails, you will have one platform where you can access all the contacts. Besides, you will be able to contact your team using the desired channels. It’s a nice way to save a lot of time and energy. Customer Support A managed IT services provider firm can also take over all the customer support tasks in your business. The service can help support daily tasks in the same way you would have if you had your in-house team. For example, if you have IT queries from clients, the external team should be able to act on them quickly, with your company’s ethos in mind.  Why You Should Consider Managed IT Services Save Money An outsourced IT service comes in handy when you can’t afford an IT department to handle the service. The plans for a managed IT service provider are often flexible, meaning you will be able to budget beforehand and work within your budget. Grow Your Business IT is very much the core of business these days. In other words, the right managed IT service streamlines your business, a feat that translates to growth. Yes, you will essentially be leaving the IT tasks to pros who will handle it better at lower costs. The managed IT service team also focuses on your short and long-term goals, which is far more advantageous than hiring a professional IT expert for a periodic gig. Final Thoughts: In a nutshell, managed IT services are here to stay as more businesses try to cut on costs while improving on the quality of services. It’s a great way to let you focus on what your business does best and leave IT tasks to the pros! Is your IT stressing you out? Think Cirrus Technology Solutions

How to stay SAFE online How can we help you to stay safe online? The internet has revolutionised the way that we work, but can sometimes seem like a daunting place. With the rise in cyber attacks, malware and malicious activity, users need to be aware of potential threats to their online safety. The increase in the use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the home can affect network security, as some devices are not secure by design and use default usernames and passwords. Any device that connects to the internet needs to be secure and users should follow the same security procedures as they would with a PC or laptop. We’ve put together some internet security tips – we all know the basics, but a reminder didn’t hurt anyone! Keep up-to-date: It is vital to keep all software up-to-date so that you have the latest security patches and updates. Hackers often take advantage of bugs and flaws in outdated software, so turn on automatic updates. Passwords: People tend to choose passwords that are easy to remember and use them for multiple accounts. Create strong, unique passwords mixing letters, numbers and special characters, or use a password manager such as LastPass. Use a firewall: A firewall is a barrier that blocks unauthorised access to your computers and devices. Using a firewall will ensure that all of the devices connected to your network are secured. This is important because many IoT devices are not secured, giving hackers access to your entire network. Antivirus: Antivirus software will help to protect your computer from viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other unwanted activity that can put your computer at risk. These viruses can perform malicious acts once installed on a computer such as deleting files, accessing personal data, or using your computer to attack others. 2 Factor Authentication: 2FA provides an additional layer of security, helping to avoid the vulnerabilities of a standard password-only approach. The most common form is a code that is sent via SMS message to authenticate. This approach prevents your log-in information from being so easily compromised and personal data stolen. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the internet. VPNs can be used to shield browsing activity from hackers who may be watching the network. When using public Wi-Fi, it is especially important to use a VPN. Use secure sites: Before entering payment or personal details into a website, check that the site is secure. Check for the small padlock in the address bar and that the beginning of the web address is https:// – the ‘s’ stands for secure. Be aware: Many cybercriminals use phishing techniques to get hold of personal information. Using emails that appear to be from trustworthy sources, they request sensitive information to use for fraudulent purposes. Never click links or open attachments in emails that you are not expecting to receive. Backup your data: Have your data backed up in an external location. If a problem was to occur, your data would be kept secure and you would be able to recover it. Multiple layers of protection: Follow all of the above tips to stay safe online on all of your devices! How do you stay safe online? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @Thinkcirrus