Never Underestimate the Importance of Data Security for Startups
Security is one of those topics that you may want to ignore, but that’s a bad idea! If you’re not thinking about securing your digital assets, some forces will find your weaknesses. Criminal organizations are operating online with near impunity, so the only thing left to do is batten down the hatches.
Secure communications are the best way to combat the theft of information. Without securing a channel, anyone can (and will) attempt to eavesdrop. If they “overhear” passwords or other sensitive data, they will cause immense damage. Why take the chance when new technology renders this threat obsolete?
Deal with Security Directly
Most companies that are handling financial transactions are now using virtual data rooms to solve security issues. If that’s the first time you’re hearing about them, don’t be alarmed. The technology is relatively new and is gaining popularity as companies discover its benefits. For handling documents that need to remain private, it’s an ideal solution.
Document handling has traditionally been a problem for companies that want to achieve and maintain compliance. They have to follow strict procedures, that must be enforced automatically by technology. That’s basically what a VDR does and why they are indispensable tools. There’s no possible way to handle compliance issues by hand, especially when dealing with a large number of clients. It’s not scalable, and the downside is huge.
Tackle Compliance Issues Logically
A meeting room eliminates the need to worry about compliance enforcement for each document, transaction, or communication. Instead, it’s all baked in, so that perfect performance is the result. There’s no reason to worry about something going wrong because automated enforcement never misses. That’s why all the documents remain in compliance, and a detailed audit trail is available for anyone who wants to view the pipeline.
Startups are targets for litigation, and also need to provide a lot of confidential information to vendors and partners. That’s why using a virtual data room (VDR) is a necessity. It will give them a place to maintain everything they need while avoiding the high costs of lawsuits. Their investors will love it because it makes it easy to get the information they want. Partners also can make use of the secured channel for communication.
Compliance is not fun to talk about, but it’s the most significant issue facing new enterprises. Deal with it upfront to avoid problems later.
Startups Need the Protection
There are no good reasons to avoid using a meeting room for a startup. The expenses are not that big, and the benefits are in line with corporate goals, especially if you think about the fact that data rooms offer the same industry-level security as major banks and financial institutions. Data is the most valuable asset startups have, especially those with brand new solutions. They have to safeguard this asset, or there will be a price to pay. Starting on the right foundation is priceless. A data room serves as the ideal jumping-off point for data security.
Going into battle without a plan will be costly for startups. That’s why it’s crucial to begin with a robust infrastructure. It’s nearly impossible to tackle scalability issues when growing. Instead, careful planning and the right server structure will ensure ideal operations. Startups always have to consider fast growth. What happens if customers start recommending the service like crazy? Will the team be able to handle it all?
Build a Successful Foundation
That’s what a meeting room will address from the earliest stages. Starting with this crucial piece of the puzzle can separate the poor startups from the ones that beat the world. With secure data in place and a way to easily communicate with vendors, partners, and customers, there’s nothing that will stop an enthusiastic company with an action plan. A data room is the one piece of infrastructure no startup can live without for long.
One mistake that’s tough to come back from is a negligent error that results in damage to corporate reputation. That’s the result of hacks, or leaks of confidential information. With a VDR, those issues become a thing of the past. Startups that are willing to implement these solutions won’t have to worry about many common issues facing their competitors. That’s why getting one provides a direct competitive advantage.
Few Reasons Why 24×7 Network & Server Support Is Mandatory
/0 Comments/in CxO Café, IT outsourcing, Tech Tips /by MihaiImagine what happens if your organization’s network or server(s) suddenly goes down one night? In case you didn’t plan something, there are two scenarios: either incredibly high over-time costs or solving the issue/s during the workday.
Having 24×7 monitoring of your network and server(s) will ensure that your organization can keep working around-the-clock and that every IT issue is solved as it comes up, avoiding a destructive cascade of failures.
Procure an Instant, Experienced Support Team & Save Money
Rather than having to rely on one or two IT employees, a company with a managed IT service solution expanding network, server, and help desk support has immediate access to a qualified, experienced team. Its members will be able to quickly identify the source of the problem and resolve it in a timely manner, so that your organization doesn’t experience substantial business disruption.
A managed IT service solution will free up your IT staff, so that your IT department can focus on more important issues. That means you won’t be paying your IT team overtime, instead, you’ll be able to use their knowledge and experience to optimize the existing infrastructure looking for new technologies to improve business operations.
Businesses today cannot afford downtime
When their IT infrastructures get hit, their internal workflow will stop, and organizations will be unable to deliver their products/services to their waiting clients, losing money and getting their brand affected as a result. Some companies can suffer hits and overcome episodes like these, others can’t.
Technical problems may occur. Hardware/software issues are always a possibility. Of course, not every IT support issue can cause a disaster and not every issue is urgent, but how your IT Help Desk responds is crucial because it can make the difference between a little hiccup and a massive business interruption.
Here are two key reasons why 24×7 network and server support should never be optional.
24×7 Monitoring
People may stop working on nights or over weekends, but systems don’t. Your help desk should be teamed with 24×7 remote monitoring catching little IT issues before they become big ones, in many cases before you’re even aware there’s an issue.
With 24×7 monitoring, there’s a good chance that your help desk will already be aware of the problem you’re experiencing and are actively working to resolve it.
Urgent Issues
This may seem like a costly luxury, but it’s not. The team providing 24×7 monitoring can also provide 24×7 support in much the same way that grocery stores can stay open all night since employees are already there stocking shelves.
Of course, your team may not always be working nights and weekends, but when they are, it’s probably for an important reason. The last thing they need is to be blocked because they can’t get support.
Conclusion
24×7 Network and Server Support is not a luxury, but rather a requirement. A requirement that will avoid hassles and keep your team happy and productive.
Why Businesses Need to Create a Risk Profile to Prevent Cyberattacks
/0 Comments/in CxO Café, Tech Tips /by MihaiThink about the last time you were afraid of something. Did you approach the situation rationally? If so, you’re in the minority. Most people are terrible at being rational when afraid. And where cybersecurity is concerned, that’s exactly what criminals are counting on.
In 2018, the Data Science Institute at Columbia found that surgeons under stress tend to make up to 66 percent more mistakes in the operating room. You’re probably wondering what, if anything, this has to do with cybersecurity. A great deal, actually.
It’s proof positive that even medical professionals are prone to error when under extreme stress. The cybersecurity industry is no different.
There’s no shortage of sensationalism around the cybercrime industry. You can’t even turn on the news without hearing about some new and terrible threat facing the digital world. To hear the media tell it, cybersecurity is an industry in a perpetual state of crisis.
A looming talent shortage and overworked employees. Irreducibly complex and sophisticated cyberattacks led by state-sponsored black hats. Unstoppable botnets that can bring the entire Internet to its knees. Powerful tools like ransomware-as-a-service that allow even the least tech-savvy of individuals to execute advanced attacks.
These are all things that are happening, true. And they’re extremely intimidating to think about. If a well-funded black hat organization were to set its sights on your business, there would be little you could do.
The thing is, devastating cyber-incidents like the ones we see so frequently online? They are not the norm. They’re just what makes headlines.
In actuality, the vast majority of cyber-attacks and data leaks are neither complicated nor targeted. They are shotgun cyberattacks that effectively throw malicious software and attack vectors at the wall to see what sticks. If you don’t want to take my word for it, have a look at the stats below.
What I’m trying to say is that too often, corporate cybersecurity veers to one of two extremes. Either we get sloppy because we think it can’t possibly happen to us, or we become paranoid, terrified at the dangers that exist on the web. Neither is the correct path.
Instead, businesses need to create and analyze their risk profile. They must endeavor to understand their unique organizational workflows, data requirements, and security threats. And perhaps more importantly, they must take a proactive role in both enabling employees and protecting corporate assets.
This is not something that can be done from a place of fear, stress, or paranoia. It needs to be careful, measured, and well planned. It needs to be an organization-wide, multi-departmental approach as well. That way, you don’t have a single group of people shouldering the burden for absolutely everyone.
About the Author:
Tim Mullahy is the Executive Vice President and Managing Director at Liberty Center One, a new breed of data center located in Royal Oak, MI. Tim has a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry.
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