cloud

Safeguarding Your Digital Fortress: A Guide to Protecting Your Personal Data.

Uncategorized / November 14, 2023 / , , , , , , , ,

In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the protection of personal data has become a paramount concern. As an IT company committed to digital security, Rolle IT understands the significance of safeguarding your digital identity. In this blog post, we’ll share essential tips and best practices to help you fortify your digital fortress and ensure the security of your personal data.

  1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: The foundation of digital security starts with robust passwords. Create unique passwords for each of your accounts, incorporating a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Regularly update your passwords to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password. Whether it’s through a text message, email, or authenticator app, 2FA significantly reduces the chances of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.
  3. Regularly Update Your Software: Outdated software is a common entry point for cyber threats. Ensure that your operating system, antivirus software, and all applications are regularly updated. Software updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities, making it harder for cybercriminals to exploit weaknesses.
  4. Be Cautious of Phishing Attempts: Phishing attacks are a prevalent method used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information. Be skeptical of unexpected emails, messages, or links. Verify the legitimacy of communication before clicking on links or providing any personal information.
  5. Encrypt Your Data: Encrypting your data adds an additional layer of protection, making it unreadable without the appropriate decryption key. Utilize encryption tools for sensitive files and consider using encrypted communication channels, especially when sharing confidential information.
  6. Review App Permissions: Be mindful of the permissions granted to apps on your devices. Some apps request access to more information than necessary. Regularly review and update these permissions to limit the data exposure in case of a security breach.
  7. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: A secure Wi-Fi network is crucial for protecting your personal data at home. Use a strong, unique password for your Wi-Fi, enable WPA3 encryption, and change the default username and password on your router to prevent unauthorized access.
  8. Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up your important data to an external drive or a secure cloud service. In the event of a data breach or loss, having backups ensures that you can quickly recover your information without succumbing to ransom demands.
  9. Educate Yourself on Cybersecurity: Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. Knowledge is a powerful tool in defending against digital threats. Follow reputable cybersecurity blogs, attend webinars, and invest time in learning about emerging threats.

Protecting your personal data requires a proactive approach and a combination of technical measures and user awareness. By implementing these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber threats and enjoy a more secure digital experience. At Rolle IT, we are committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital landscape securely. Stay safe, stay secure!

Cybersecurity Basics Checklist

Business, Security, Small Business, Technology, Wifi / March 23, 2023 / , , ,

If you work in a hybrid position, it’s likely that you are at higher risk for becoming the victim of a cyber-attack. Connecting to your work network at home or at the local coffee spot or having your work applications on a personal phone can leave you and your data vulnerable. There are dozens of ways that users can be left open to digital attacks, and the opportunity for cyber-crime evolves every day as technology changes. Here are some ways that you can protect yourself and your data.

  1. Use strong and unique passwords: It is essential to use strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long, contain a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  2. Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. It requires you to provide an additional piece of information, such as a code sent to your phone, before you can access your account.
  3. Be cautious of phishing scams: Phishing scams are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to steal your personal information. They usually come in the form of an email or text message that appears to be from a trusted source, asking you to provide sensitive information. Be cautious when opening emails or clicking links: Don’t open emails or click links from unknown sources, as they may contain malware.
  4. Keep your software updated: Keeping your software updated, including your operating system and antivirus software, is crucial to protect against known vulnerabilities and exploits.
  5. Use a firewall: A firewall can help block unauthorized access to your network.
  6. Secure your home network: Make sure to change the default username and password on your router, use strong encryption methods such as WPA2, and turn off remote management.
  7. Limit your personal information online: Be cautious of the information you share online, especially on social media platforms. Cybercriminals can use this information to steal your identity or commit fraud.
  8. Backup your data: Regularly backup your important data to an external hard drive or cloud storage. This will ensure that you have access to your data in case of a cyber attack or system failure.
  9. Use a Secure Network: When using public Wi-Fi use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address, making it difficult for cybercriminals to intercept your data.
  10. Use a password manager: A password manager can help you generate and store strong and unique passwords for all your accounts.

Rolle IT helps businesses secure their data and puts best practices in place to protect users and companies. User Focused IT Consulting.

3 IT Services Insurance Agents Should Use

Managed Service Provider, Security, Technology / March 7, 2023 / , , , ,

Originally Posted by Aimee Iorio Technology is continuously evolving, and the world of insurance is facing many new trends. More and more insurance companies are searching for and transitioning to new technologies to stay head with competitors and meet demands. Security should be a priority when working with sensitive customer information. Insurance agencies and private insurance agents looking to incorporate security and new technology should consider these services.

Security
In addition to security compliance, storing and protecting sensitive information about your customers is critical. Implementing a security protocol for your business is vital to ensuring customers their information will not be subject to a breach. Working with an IT company allows you to create a security plan that can include various types of security tailored to your standards and level of protection needed. Aligning your business and employees with your new protocols significantly decreases possible security issues and builds a proactive security approach.

Cloud
The transition from storing paper files to utilizing technology to create and store documents has been massive. Using the cloud to store customer data and increase security saves money and increases employee productivity. The ability to access files on demand from any location greatly increases flexibility and creates a simple environment to manage. An IT organization can focus more on adding value to your organization in many other ways instead of focusing on the maintenance physical hardware requires.

Chatbots
The average person can complete most of their to-do list without speaking live with a person. Chatbots help save time and provide a seamless experience for current and future customers. Chatbots can provide assistance past business hours (24/7) awarding companies with higher success of obtaining new clientele while simultaneously saving money. Plus, chatbots can utilize the language you want your customers to hear that ultimately aligns with your organization’s mission.

How Rolle IT’s MSP Programs Can Help Your Business

Agile Methodologies, Managed Service Provider, Security, Technology / March 7, 2023 / , , , , , , ,

Originally Posted by Aimee Iorio, Financially, can your business survive a data breach that costs you $3.86 million?  If the answer is NO, it may be time to consider contacting Rolle IT and inquiring about our Information Technology Managed Services.  You have spent countless hours building your business, don’t let a disruptive cyber attack take that from you. 

In 2020, the average cost of a data breach was estimated at $3.86 million, according to IBM.  This includes a combination of direct and indirect costs related to time and effort dealing with a breach, lost opportunities such as customer churn resulting from bad publicity, and regulatory fines. Though the average cost of a breach is relatively unchanged, IBM says the costs are getting smaller for companies that are proactive and much larger for those that don’t take any precautions.

As your business moves into a new year, new challenges and opportunities are presented.  Now is the optimal time to assess some concrete ways you can improve your business. One crucial decision that will assist your business in a variety of important areas, is to utilize the assistance of a trusted Information Technology Managed Service Provider.

Every modern business depends on technology and data. However, like your business, the technology landscape is also evolving.  With this never ending evolution, the security risks associated with maintaining your companies information technology is also increasing with time.

Information Technology Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a company that remotely manages your company’s IT infrastructure and/or end-user systems, typically on a proactive basis and under a subscription model.   A MSP will supply your company with 24/7 monitoring, Improved Security, Compliance, Disaster Recovery and Data Backups, Increased Efficiency, Comprehensive Reporting, Cost Effective Savings, and Industry Competitive Advantage.

The majority of companies (Large, Medium or Small) have limited in-house IT capabilities. Opting to partner with Rolle IT is a great way to get an industry expert in your corner, 24/7. Despite the day or time, Rolle IT is available to help you solve any IT issues.  Over 50% of business owners cite time as the single biggest obstacle to adopting new technologies. Rolle IT can help minimize this obstacle and allow you to focus on growing your business, not worrying about IT.

Rolle IT will eliminate your concern about spending time keeping your business technology compliant, secure, and functioning. With our service level agreements, we will help prevent violation fines, security breaches, and downtime before they happen. Rolle IT experts will be proactive in monitoring for future threats, saving you time and money down the line.

Secure Your Future Today

In this technology driven business world, companies are under more pressure to provide top-of-the-line IT services. The need and business advantages for outsourced services are more prevalent than ever. Reduce your operating costs and increase the quality of your services by adopting a Managed Service Provider, contact Rolle IT today.

Veteran owned and operated, let Rolle IT have your six while helping you save some serious cash.  The best MSPs, such as Rolle IT, offer cloud migration or transition services to transfer necessary data, so you can get started right away.

Rolle IT will work with you to clearly define your requirements and note the improvements you would like to see. Be leery of providers who only discuss their characteristics (their toolsets, processes, and quality of resources) and not your goals. It’s important that you choose a provider that can meet your needs now and in the future.

Contact us now and receive a free, confidential risk assessment that will give you the certainty you need to get started with our managed services today.