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CybersecurityBusiness Continuity

How to protect your organization from the global cyberattack by CLOP

The recent news of several US government agencies being hit by a global cyberattack by a Russian ransomware group called CLOP has raised serious concerns about the security of critical data and systems. The hackers exploited a vulnerability in a widely used file transfer software called MOVEit, which many organizations use to share sensitive information internally and externally. According to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), hackers could access and encrypt data from various federal agencies, including the Energy Department and state governments, universities, and corporations. The hackers then demanded ransom payments from the victims to restore their data, threatening to leak or sell it otherwise. This attack is another reminder of the growing threat of ransomware, which has become one of the most lucrative and disruptive forms of cybercrime in recent years. Ransomware attacks can cause significant financial losses, operational disruptions, reputational damage, and legal liabilities for organizations of all sizes and sectors. At BMIT, we are committed to helping our clients…
Nicholas Salem
June 16, 2023
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Business ContinuityCybersecurityIT Management

Unlocking Business Success: The Key Benefits of Partnering with an MSP

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com A successful business requires seamless IT operations, robust cybersecurity, and efficient network management. However, managing these crucial aspects internally can be overwhelming and costly. That's where a Managed Services IT company (MSP) like BMIT comes in, providing comprehensive solutions tailored to your business needs. In this blog post, we'll explore the key benefits of partnering with an MSP like BMIT and how it can unlock the door to your business's success. 1: Enhanced Cybersecurity for Ultimate Protection In today's digital landscape, cybersecurity threats are on the rise. Capital investment firms, vet clinics, non-profits, and SMBs are all potential targets. BMIT understands the importance of safeguarding your sensitive data and maintaining regulatory compliance. Our MSP services offer advanced cybersecurity solutions, including robust firewalls, real-time threat monitoring, proactive vulnerability assessments, and employee training programs. With BMIT by your side, you can rest assured that your business is protected against evolving cyber threats, ensuring business continuity and peace of mind. 2: Streamlined…
Nicholas Salem
June 13, 2023
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Cybersecurity

Why You Need to Think Twice Before Using Lensa AI & Other Self-Portrait Apps

It’s a common theme. You begin seeing these amazing CGI images of your friends on Facebook or Instagram. You think, “How can I make one?”Filters and self-portrait apps have come a long way. You can now make yourself look like Hollywood’s version of a character in the next hit animated film. It still kind of looks like you, only a dream version with “perfect” hair, skin, and facial features.The latest of these modern vanity marvels to make the rounds is Lensa AI. You upload about 10 photos so the app can feed that data into its AI algorithm. Then, once it maps your facial features, it generates several fantasy selfies of you.These magical avatars don’t come for free though. While you can download the app for free and use it in a limited fashion, you need to pay to do more. To get unlimited access for one week, it’s $2.99. There are several pricing tiers for its avatar packs and membership access. These range from…
Nicholas Salem
April 25, 2023
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Cybersecurity

Data Backup Is Not Enough, You Also Need Data Protection

The need to back up data has been around since floppy disks. Data loss happens due to viruses, hard drive crashes, and other mishaps. Most people using any type of technology have experienced data loss at least once.There are about 140,000 hard drive crashes in the US weekly. Every five years, 20% of SMBs suffer data loss due to a major disaster. This has helped to drive a robust cloud backup market that continues to grow.But one thing that’s changed with data backup in the last few years is security. Simply backing up data so you don’t lose it, isn’t enough anymore. Backing up has morphed into data protection.What does this mean?It means that backups need more cybersecurity protection. They face threats such as sleeper ransomware and supply chain attacks. Cloud-based backup has the benefit of being convenient, accessible, and effective. But there is also a need for certain security considerations with an online service.Companies need to consider data protection when planning a backup and…
Nicholas Salem
April 15, 2023
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Cybersecurity

Is That Really a Text from Your CEO… or Is It a Scam?

Imagine you’re going about your day when suddenly you receive a text from the CEO. The head of the company is asking for your help. They’re out doing customer visits and someone else dropped the ball in providing gift cards. The CEO needs you to buy six $200 gift cards and text the information right away.The message sender promises to reimburse you before the end of the day. Oh, and by the way, you won’t be able to reach them by phone for the next two hours because they’ll be in meetings. One last thing, this is a high priority. They need those gift cards urgently.Would this kind of request make you pause and wonder? Or would you quickly pull out your credit card to do as the message asked?A surprising number of employees fall for this gift card scam. There are also many variations. Such as your boss being stuck without gas or some other dire situation that only you can help with.This scam…
Nicholas Salem
March 31, 2023
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Cybersecurity

6 Ways to Prevent Misconfiguration (the Main Cause of Cloud Breaches)

Misconfiguration of cloud solutions is often overlooked when companies plan cybersecurity strategies. Cloud apps are typically quick and easy to sign up for. The user often assumes that they don't need to worry about security because it's handled.This is an incorrect assumption because cloud security is a shared model. The provider of the solution handles securing the backend infrastructure. But the user is responsible for configuring security settings in their account properly.The problem with misconfiguration is huge. It’s the number one cause of cloud data breaches. It’s also an unforced error. Misconfiguration means that a company has made a mistake. It hasn't adequately secured its cloud application.Perhaps they gave too many employees administrative privileges. Or, they may have neglected to turn on a security function. One that prevented the downloading of cloud files by an unauthorized user.Misconfiguration covers a wide range of negligent behavior. It all has to do with cloud security settings and practices. A finding in The State of Cloud Security 2021 report…
Nicholas Salem
March 25, 2023
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Cybersecurity

Smart Tips to Stop Money From Being Stolen Through Online Banking

There are a lot of things that have changed since the invention of the internet. One of these is how we bank and access our accounts. You used to have to go into a local bank branch to make deposits and withdrawals. Now, you can take a picture of a check and deposit it from your phone.Approximately 73% of people around the world use some form of online banking at least once a month. People have never had such convenient account access. But that convenience can come at a cost.In 2021, account takeover fraud increased by 90%. New account fraud jumped a whopping 109%. As the ease of online banking has increased, so has banking-related cybercrime.If someone breaches your Facebook account, it can be a real pain. But, if a hacker breaches your bank account, it can be devastating. It can mean significant losses. Losses that you may not be able to recoup from your financial institution.In this article, we’ll take a look at the…
Nicholas Salem
March 15, 2023
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Cybersecurity

4 Proven Ways to Mitigate the Costs of a Data Breach

No business wants to suffer a data breach. But unfortunately, in today’s environment, it’s difficult to completely avoid them. Approximately 83% of organizations have experienced more than one data breach. (IBM Security 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report)These breaches hurt businesses in many ways. First, there is the immediate cost of remediating the breach. Then, there are the lost productivity costs. You can add lost business on top of that, and lost customer trust. A business could also have extensive legal costs associated with a breach.According to IBM Security’s report, the cost of a data breach climbed again in 2022. The global cost of one breach is now $4.35 million, up 2.6% from last year. If your business is in the U.S., the cost rises to $9.44 million. In Canada, the average data breach costs companies $5.64 million.Costs for smaller companies tend to be a little lower. But breaches are often more devastating to SMBs. They don’t have the same resources that larger companies…
Nicholas Salem
March 5, 2023