Small businesses are often targets of ransomware thieves. These attackers lock down data and systems, and demand money for return of service. Weaker security measures, smaller IT budgets, and less awareness of threats are the reasons for the increasing ransomware and hacker attacks on small businesses.

Why are small businesses cyberattack targets? According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report 2023:

• Small businesses experience 69% more data breaches than large enterprises.
• 95% of data breaches are overwhelmingly financially driven, especially ransomware attacks.
• 74% of all breaches include the human element.

Lack of Small Business Security Planning and Implementation

There is a big difference in how small businesses are prepared to deal with security threats. Potential problem areas include:

1. Weaker Security Measures

• No Contingency Plan
  Solution: Developing data recovery practices to restore systems to pre-event status.
• Minimal Protection by Insufficient Security software
  Solution: Installing and maintaining strong antivirus software, firewalls, and other security tools that can detect and block ransomware.
• Infrequent updates
  Solution: Updating and patching software, systems, and upgrading or replacing equipment to prevent vulnerabilities.
• No Backup Plan
  Solution: Implementing regular backups of data and files to a secure location that is not connected to the main network.
• Process for Employee Reporting of Suspicious Events
  Solution: Developing and testing an incident response plan that outlines how to deal with a ransomware attack and minimize its impact.

2. Smaller IT Budgets

• Lack of Resources
  Solution: Utilizing an external Managed IT Service Provider that responds quickly and ensures operational and regulatory needs are met. Outsourcing to a managed IT company provides infrastructure and security management at a cost saving below the expense of hiring employees. They relieve business technology burdens and have expertise that can be focused on specific IT gaps.
• Vulnerabilities in Infrastructure Components
  Solution: Utilizing a Managed IT Service Provider to actively monitor and secure networks and endpoints with cloud-based threat AI and active virus protection.

3. Lack of Employee Awareness and Training

• Error Management
  Solution: Providing onsite classes to help employees Understand security issues related to hardware, software and printer vulnerabilities. Educating employees on how to recognize and avoid phishing emails, malicious links, and attachments. According to a blog post by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), “The majority of ransomware is propagated through user-initiated actions such as clicking on a malicious link in a spam e-mail or visiting a malicious or compromised website”. Onsite security awareness training such as error management are key to preventing all kinds of hacking activities.
• Privilege Misuse, Stolen credentials, and Social Manipulation
  Solution: Onsite training to ensure your team has the skills necessary to do their job and to recognize actions that manipulate them to reveal confidential or personal information.

Bottom Line

Ransomware is a serious threat that can have devastating effects on small businesses. To protect their viability and actual existence, organizations need to fortify their cybersecurity from both a technological and human perspective. By following these best practices, small businesses can reduce their risk of becoming victims of ransomware and improve their resilience in case of an attack.

R&D Computers of Norcross, GA

Since 1993 our managed IT services have protected thousands of companies from ransomware and cyberattacks. If your business is in Norcross or the greater Atlanta area and your concerned about Ransomware attacks, Schedule your FREE risk assessment to ensure your company is prepared.

R&D Computers Background

R&D Computers, Inc. was founded in 1993 and has been a leader in cybersecurity for business of all sizes in Norcross and all across Georgia. Working with business we come up with goals to provide the best possible service at an affordable price. Our experienced team of IT experts understands the challenges you face when it comes to IT solutions. That’s why we’re proud to be Atlanta’s own full-service IT service provider that can tailor our services to meet your unique business needs. Call us today at (770) 416-0103 and let us tell you how we can work together to come up with a solution that works for you.

Cyberattacks affect millions of small businesses around the world.  They are malicious attempts by hackers to access, damage or destroy your data, systems or networks. The affects can be significant, such as financial losses, reputational damage, legal liabilities and operational disruptions. Cyberattacks can also compromise your customers’ personal information and trust, which can hurt your brand loyalty and sales.

You might think that cyberattacks only target large corporations or government agencies, but that’s not true. In fact, small businesses are more vulnerable to cyberattacks than larger ones, because they often lack the resources, expertise, and awareness to protect themselves effectively. According to a report by Forbes, cyber risks are the biggest concern for companies globally in 2023. Another report by Fortinet states that hackers target SMBs because they often use free cybersecurity tools designed for consumers that are not powerful enough to protect businesses.

Some of the most common types of cyberattacks that affect small businesses are:

1. Phishing/Social Engineering

Hackers send fake emails or messages that look like they come from legitimate sources, such as your bank, your supplier, or your customer. They try to trick you into clicking on malicious links, downloading malicious files or giving them your credentials or sensitive information.

2. Malware

Hackers install malicious software on your devices or systems, such as viruses, worms, trojans or spyware to steal your data, monitor your activities, damage your files or take control of your devices.

3. Data Breaches

Hackers gain unauthorized access to your data, such as customer records, financial information or trade secrets and use the data breaches to extort money from you, sell your data to third parties or expose your data publicly.

4. Website Hacking

Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in your website or web applications, such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting to deface your website, redirect your traffic, steal your data or launch further attacks.

5. DDoS Attacks

Hackers overwhelm your website or network with a large amount of traffic or requests from multiple sources to slow down or crash your website or network, disrupt your services or demand ransom.

6. Ransomware

Hackers encrypt your data or lock your devices and demand payment in exchange for the decryption key or access to extort money from you, threaten to delete your data or expose your data publicly.

There are many more types and variations of cyberattacks that hackers can use to target you. That’s why it’s crucial for small businesses to take cybersecurity seriously and implement effective measures to prevent and respond to cyberattacks.

Let’s talk about how R&D Computer’s Managed IT Services in Norcross, GA can be your Virtual CIO.  Our certified technicians and hardware specialists will support your IT department with technology, monitoring, hardware updates and onsite services to find and contain attacks on your business.  Schedule your FREE security assessment today!

Print operations often get forgotten when considering ways to save money. If you are ignoring the cost of your print operations, you are definitely spending more money than necessary. Consider working with an MPS partner to help you optimize your print environment, reduce costs up to 30%, and protect against hackers.  

Printing is essential for many tasks, such as creating patient records, printing prescriptions, scanning insurance forms, and sending faxes. However, printing can also be a source of frustration, waste, and risk if not managed properly. That’s why your company should consider these steps in hiring a company that offers managed print services (MPS).

6 Steps to Finding a MPS Provider

1. Know Your Needs
   Evaluate your organization’s printing needs and requirements to help you identify the functionalities you need in a managed print solution. Start by analyzing your company’s printing volume. Also, take note of the number and types of printers and copiers used in your business and the type of issues you are having.
2. Determine the Total Costs
   Consider the total cost of ownership and maintenance. These include ongoing maintenance and support; costs of supplies and consumables; emergency services and technical support. Finding a company that offers a flat monthly fee structure avoids any expensive unknowns. Choose an MPS that offers the best value for your organization.
3. Assess the Vendors Experience and Expertise
   Search for vendors with a proven track record. Ask for references and case studies to gain insight into their experience and success in the field. A knowledgeable vendor can help you identify opportunities for process improvement and cost savings.
4. Verify the Vendors’ Security Protocols
   Cybercrime is prevalent so security is a critical concern when it comes to managed print services, especially in the medical field. Look for vendors with robust security measures in place including encryption and data backup and recovery capabilities. Also ensure the vendor is compliant with industry regulations, especially if you are a healthcare system adhering to the standards required by HIPPA.
5. Chose a Vendor that Integrates Existing Hardware
   When evaluating vendors, they need to be able to integrate with your current print environment to ensure seamless operation and maximum efficiency. By doing so, you can reduce implementation costs and minimize disruptions to your business operations. Also, consider the vendor’s compatibility with different printer models, operating systems and software applications.
6. Consider the Vendor’s Service Agreements and Support Options
   Look for vendors with service agreements that cover all aspects of print management including hardware, software, and supplies. Also, consider the vendor’s support options including phone and email support, online support portals and on-site support options. Take note of vendors with a strong track record of providing timely and effective support to their customers. 

Bottom Line

Choosing the right managed print solution can have a significant impact on your organization’s efficiency, productivity, and overall success. These services can help you achieve several benefits for your medical office.

1. Saving money
   MPS can help you reduce your printing costs by up to 30% by eliminating unnecessary devices and maintaining and updating your equipment and handling your printer supplies.
2. Providing Business Operation Analysis
   MPS consultants provide an in-depth analysis of your business operations and optimum device utilization. They will review your current systems and provide recommendations to improve them – removing old devices, integrating or shifting existing hardware components, and buying new equipment when needed. Then implement the solutions into a unified solution.
3. Improving Efficiency
   Partnering with an MPS can help you streamline your workflows and enhance your productivity by ensuring that your devices are always functional, up-to-date, and compatible with your IT systems. MPS can also provide you with cloud-based solutions that enable you to print from anywhere, scan to email or cloud storage, and integrate with your electronic medical records (EMR) system.
4. Enhancing Security
   Did you know printers are targets for hackers who want to steal your data, spy on your activities, or disrupt your operations Don’t let hackers use your printers as a gateway to your network and data. Managed print services can monitor your network for threats and provide you with regular reports on your print activity and compliance status. These services help you protect your sensitive data by implementing security features such as encryption, authentication, access control, audit trails.  

If you want to learn more about how MPS can benefit your organization, contact R&D Computers Inc.  With 29 years of experience, our certified technicians are experts in providing MPS solutions for the healthcare industry. We can help you transform your print environment and enhance your patient care.

Let’s talk. Call us at (800) 350-3071 or schedule a FREE discovery call and evaluation today!

With current security issues and core operational and process challenges, many IT leaders are turning to IT management outsourcing.  A partnership with a local managed IT services provider can offer great benefits by providing an extension to your IT team. Quality IT outsourcing enables your staff to focus on strategic company initiatives by managing the infrastructure, end user systems, applications, day-to-day tasks and onsite support necessary to maintain the health of the IT infrastructure. 

A qualified IT outsourcing company takes a proactive approach with comprehensive service plans and active monitoring for abnormalities, issues, and more. Some of the many benefits of adding MSP services company to your team include: 

1. Strategic Planning – Plan, design, and deliver sustainable technology solutions for your business to ensure its technology infrastructure is maintained and running at peak efficiency.
   
2. Managing Operations – Provide a full breadth of managed services, including 24×7 monitoring, incident management and reporting. 
3. Active Virus Protection – Protect your data, devices, and network from hackers and thieves. 
4. Ongoing IT Consultation – Review and recommend opportunities to modernize your infrastructure and reduce overhead. Having a managed services provider on contract can help you scale to accommodate new requests or scale down when resources are no longer needed.
5. Software Updates – Patch, update, and upgrade your equipment and software to keep all systems running smoothly. Managed Services is rapidly re-emerging as an integral solution for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve in adopting and maintaining new technologies.
6. Onsite Training – Teaching employees security awareness (65% of breaches are initiated by employees). In addition, on demand, on-site training makes sure your team gets the right skills for the right job. 

Choosing the Right MSP Company 

1. Holistic Services – Look for companies that provide technical, functional, architectural, and training consultants who can help you keep your systems healthy and unlock their full potential.
2. Flat Rate Contacts – Ask for a flat rate contract. From a cost perspective, one of the clear benefits of managed services is that it lowers labor costs and eliminates the cost of hiring and training new IT staff. Look for a company that offers a pricing model is that enables you to hire an entire team of IT professionals at a flat monthly rate.
3. Free Discovery – Ask for a free discover call to determine if each potential company has the talent, experience and service agreements that meet your needs. Ask for a review of your current IT infrastructure.
4. Responds Quickly – Find a company that can respond immediately to your needs. A managed IT services business geographically located in your area provides the ultimate timely support for all IT issues. In an emergency, location really matters. 

R&D Computers, Inc – Technology and Managed IT support Services in Norcross, GA

You need a managed IT service provider available 24/7, with real people to answer the phone, and seasoned technicians trained to get your IT problems solved. R&D Computers, Inc. has over 29 years in the business. Located in Norcross, Georgia, R&D Computers has the expertise to meet the managed IT needs of businesses of all sizes.  

Our team of certified technicians has a wide range of hardware and software expertise. We’re familiar with the latest operating systems and applications. We’ll get to the root of any problems you’re having and fix them fast. We are able to respond in a timely manner to troubleshooting, maintenance and security needs in the greater Atlanta area.   

For a reasonable monthly flat fee, our certified staff will keep your equipment running smoothly, networks secure, and supplies stocked while you focus on your business.  

Let’s talk. Call us at (800) 350-3071 or schedule a FREE discovery call and evaluation today!

A fairly universal experience of office workers is the dreaded feeling you get when you can’t find a file. Whether it’s a word processing document, an image, scanned data, or a different type of digital file, odds are that you’ve experienced the time-consuming and aggravating task of not being able to find the data you’re looking for in your business’ shared network. Panic and, ultimately, frustration set in as you have to pull coworkers away from their tasks to help locate the file-or worse-you begin to recreate it. So, what can you do to bypass all of the undue stress that comes with an unruly digital filing system?

The first step is to determine and standardize filing labels throughout your organization. For example, name your document “ABC Company Invoice 5.30.16” instead of “ABC” or simply “5.30.16,” because descriptive labeling will help users locate the file later. Maintaining standardized folders and subfo…