Security

As cybersecurity issues become a daily struggle for businesses of all sizes, it’s important to know the differences between IT security and IT compliance so you can vigorously protect your assets, data, employees, and customers. 

What Is IT Security?

IT security can be defined as an assortment of cybersecurity services and strategies aimed at preventing unauthorized access to a company’s assets. This includes computers, networks, and data. IT security works to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information and block hacker’s access to it. This can be accomplished by implementing methods like firewalls, antivirus software, employee security training, and multi-factor authentication.

What Is IT Compliance?

On the other hand, IT compliance is a series of regulations that businesses must fulfill to meet a third-party’s requirements. This then permits businesses to facilitate business operations in a target market or align with laws or specific customers. Compliance includes industry regulations, government policies, and contractual terms.

Why Is IT Compliance Necessary?

Compliance is essential to decrease your risk of fines, penalties, lawsuits, or a complete business shutdown. For certain violations, you may receive a fine. But, for more serious violations, you risk costly sanctions that can prove detrimental to your business. Having a clear, effective program makes it crystal clear to stakeholders and consumers that your company is focused on compliance, which shows your commitment to doing business fairly and ethically. It also helps establish customer trust and brand loyalty. 

 Compliance differs by industry, and some examples include:

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA):  A strict set of regulations that defines how the businesses in the healthcare sector, as well as all businesses that partner with anything to do with healthcare, should protect and share personal health information.
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS): A group of security regulations aimed at protecting consumer privacy when they transmit personal credit card information and how businesses store and process it.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework (NIST-CSF): Any business working with a government agency needs to comply with NIST’s cybersecurity standards. The most common compliance regulations from NIST are NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53, as they deal with unclassified information.
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC): Ensures that organizations take measures and implement controls to consistently meet compliance requirements.

Key Differences Between IT Compliance and IT Security

Although compliance can overlap with security, their ultimate goals are slightly different.

Security

• Practiced by businesses for their own interests, not for the sake of satisfying the needs of a third party.
• Driven by the need to protect against constant threats to a business’s assets.
• Never finished and must be continuously maintained and improved.

Compliance

• Practiced to satisfy external requirements and help business operations.
• Driven by business needs.
• Considered “complete” when the third party is satisfied.

Even though security and compliance go hand-in-hand, compliance will not completely protect businesses. Cyberattacks are on the rise. In 2019, more than 31,000 cases of cybercrime against businesses across the globe took place—the majority targeting small businesses. 

This is why it’s important to take a multi-prong approach to ensure your business is compliant and secure. While compliance establishes a comprehensive baseline for your company’s security, diligent cybersecurity services build on the baseline to cover the organization from every angle.

How ThrottleNet Can Help

A strong blend of both cybersecurity and compliance is the best protection. By working with cybersecurity experts like ThrottleNet, businesses can become technologically secure and compliant. Work with ThrottleNet’s cybersecurity experts to discover a solution for you. 

Contact us today to learn more!

In this day and age, information—intellectual property, employee and client information (PII), financial records—are gold, and unscrupulous individuals will do anything to get their hands on them. Even cybersecurity for small businesses has become a top priority.

Luckily, there are high-level government cybersecurity frameworks even SMBs can implement to protect themselves.

What Cybersecurity Framework Does the Government Use?

The government is well aware of the damage that cyber crimes cause. To protect its sensitive data from breaches, whether intentional or otherwise, the government issued a series of guidelines to be followed by their offices and businesses who work with them. 

These are the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), which focuses on data procurement; Cyber Security Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), which is mainly for the Department of Defense (DoD); and the Cybersecurity Framework from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

However, it’s not only government contractors who benefit from the high-level security compliance brings. Your small to medium-sized business (SMB) can also reap the benefits of government-level cybersecurity solutions, starting with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

Small-Medium Businesses and Cybercrime

You might not believe that cybercriminals are targeting your SMB business, but statistics show otherwise. In 2019, 43% percent of cyberattacks were focused on small and medium enterprises.

With the COVID pandemic driving people to work at home, cyber crimes have increased 400% a month into the pandemic. Cybercrime is a reality for small and medium businesses, and the damage it causes is real, amounting to millions of dollars each year.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework and SMBs

To have an organized cybersecurity system, The NIST met with industry leaders in 2013, and a year later, the NIST presented the cybersecurity framework to the public. The framework includes five steps.

1. Identify the data and systems that need protection, such as consumer, patient, and other sensitive information.
2. Protect the data using hardware and software.
3. Detect breaches using tools and policies before they happen.
4. Respond to the threats by using tools to mitigate and control data breaches.
5. Recover systems and assets through backups, parallel devices, the cloud, or other resiliency tools when a data breach occurs.

According to Gartner, the security framework that NIST outlines is so effective that in 2021, 50% of American businesses have adopted the framework to protect their businesses. Your SMB business can also benefit from using the NIST framework to protect your business.

How ThrottleNet Can Help

Even if your SMB doesn’t have direct dealings with the government, it can still benefit from the NIST framework of cybersecurity, especially for data protection and recovery. 

ThrottleNet’s managed cybersecurity for small businesses help implement the aspects of NIST that apply to your SMB, providing you with a comprehensive data protection plan that works well with your organization’s specific needs. 

Remember, prevention is always better than the cure. Our Managed Network + Cybersecurity plan is uniquely designed to prevent even the most sophisticated threats, while optimizing your networks. Get a free dark web scan today to see where your vulnerabilities lie and improve your business’s security. 

The Dark Web isn’t just a rumor: it’s real and is the reason why protecting your data and your identity online is more vital than ever. ThrottleNet’s latest video takes you on a quick tour of the dark web and exposes some of the illicit and problematic aspects of this dangerous side of the internet.

Please note: our tour of the dark web is for educational purposes only. Dustin, who hosts the tour, is a certified ethical hacker and cybersecurity manager, and he uses virtual machines and a VPN to access the dark web. This is not safe for you to try at home.

Navigating the Dark Web

Several search engines can work to search the darknet. There are also sites within the hacking community that offer services such as hacking computers, websites, or even smartphones.
Dustin talks a bit about the Tor browser and the secure method of “onion linking.” Watch the video to learn more about these aspects of the dark web.

Hackers share resources via hacking forums like Fatality Hacking Sets and Master Hack Packs. There are even beginners’ guides. This might be the type of place that young hackers get their information from. Forums like these are also a source of leaked data.

During the video, Dustin highlights a source who states that they have access to 75,000 leaked email addresses and passwords. Large-scale hacking like this can occur if you’re using the same credentials across multiple websites, especially if you use similar passwords in your personal and business logins.

Hackers try that password and email address combination across various platforms, leaving your data accessible. It’s crucial to practice good data hygiene and have separate passwords for all your accounts.

Hacking for Sale on the Dark Web

Online marketplaces offer a range of hacking services, including paying to knock someone’s website offline for a few hours. These actions are completely illegal, which is why they’re only openly offered on the darknet. Are you experiencing a concerning amount of downtime? Learn how hackers achieve website downtime by watching the video.

Custom ransomware is another tool offered to lower-level hackers. If they don’t have the programming skills to create their own ransomware, they can outsource the task via online marketplaces.

Beyond the intangible purchases of data and hacking services, other illegal products are available through dark web sources. Criminals can purchase a range of fraudulent documents such as drivers’ licenses and passports–check the video to see how much these are sold for. You may be shocked!

Other problematic services on the dark web include the ability to buy a gun without background checks and making purchases using cryptocurrency like Bitcoin to avoid paper trails.

Protecting Businesses from the Dark Web

If you’ve been hit with ransomware in the past, you might’ve had thorough backups so you could move on unaffected. Now, cybercriminals have pivoted to extorting companies. If you don’t pay them, they start uploading your sensitive data to the internet. Our video highlights several websites that list data stolen from various companies. Data includes bank details and information that could be damaging if sent to competitors.

Dustin also shows how easily data breaches can occur for organizations that don’t keep their cybersecurity up to date and instead rely on older machines, servers, and software, not realizing the risks these pose for breaches in data security.

Learn more about the dark web and how to protect your information online with our insightful webinar. Sign up for the dark web tour today!

Business cybersecurity is essential in this day and age. Hackers often need only one weak password or software vulnerability to create a cyberattack that will send you reeling.

Fortunately, the cybersecurity world is in a new age of improvement, which gives you the ability to protect yourself—so long as you know which tools to use. Keep reading to learn about the key components of any good business cybersecurity strategy.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a pesky form of malware that attacks files within a system. The attacker encrypts the victim’s data, then demands a ransom to restore access to the files.

How Does Ransomware Work?

Ransomware can work in several different ways, but the most common tactic occurs through a phishing scam, which sends special attachments to email users. When the victim downloads the attachment, the attacker seizes control of the victim’s computer.

How to Fight Ransomware Attacks

Because ransomware is continually evolving, it requires more than a one-time quick fix. The best ransomware solution includes a few things:

• Employee training
• Patch management
• Firewalls
• Random phishing drills

Risk Management

Risk management allows you to understand the common IT risks out there, including the type of protection your business needs. At ThrottleNet, we use a time-tested and trusted process for understanding cybersecurity risks. We follow these steps:

1. Analyze the risk
2. Rank the risk
3. Treat the risk
4. Monitor and review the risk

Don’t give into the temptation to skip a step. Each is vital to your business cybersecurity plan, and your company will thank you for giving it the protection it deserves.

IT Compliance

IT compliance is a stressful topic for many businesses. If you’ve been charged with hefty IT compliance fines before, you know just how costly they can be. But compliance is about more than just your wallet—a non-compliant strategy also means your company is more susceptible to a cyberattack.

To ensure your business cybersecurity strategy is compliant, hire an expert who has experience in your industry. Healthcare, after all, requires different solutions than real estate. When it comes to IT compliance, a specialist will beat a generalist every time. 

IT Consulting

A quality IT consulting service will help your team learn more about cybersecurity threats, whether it’s preventing breaches or dealing with cyberattacks as they happen.

When you choose our IT consulting service, we’ll supply you with a trusted vCIO, or Virtual Chief Information Officer, who will help you: 

• Learn more about your IT infrastructure
• Understand how your business goals and IT strategy work together
• Significantly reduce network inefficiencies and maintenance costs

IT Hardware

Tackling the toughest business cybersecurity problems doesn’t only take experienced professionals—you also need the right IT hardware.

Find a certified reseller to keep your costs low without sacrificing quality. The best resellers have long-standing relationships with their IT hardware manufacturers, which allows them to offer you affordable prices. 

ThrottleNet provides the following IT hardware solutions:

• Servers
• Backup appliances
• Desktops
• Laptops
• Printers
• Network equipment
• Anti-virus deployment

We like to be our clients’ one-stop shop for all their business needs because we know it can be time-consuming and stressful to shop with separate vendors. That being said, some companies prefer multiple IT hardware vendors instead of just one. Try the strategy that works best for you.

Detailed Business Cybersecurity Strategies

A high-quality security strategy involves a detailed plan, one that accounts for both current and future challenges. 

It takes a keen, experienced eye to recognize a successful business cybersecurity plan. Here at ThrottleNet, we believe that the best security policies are both proactive and preventative. That’s why we include the following security strategy items in our outsourced IT support services:

• Anti-virus/malware protection
• External vulnerability scans
• Windows updates
• Cyber disaster prevention
• Third-party updates
• Security checklist
• DNS filtering
• Backup management

We’re rated as one of the best cybersecurity services in St. Louis because we leave no stone unturned. When you partner with us, you can rest assured that your business cybersecurity is in good hands. If you’re ready for a free security strategy consultation, give us a call today.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That philosophy might apply to the occasional home improvement project, but when it comes to data protection, you should probably adopt a different motto.

Today, we’re going to show you why “Fix it before it breaks” is the best way to address cybersecurity—and how you can protect your data today. 

Your Data Protection Quick Fix: Vulnerability Audits

There’s only one way to prevent cyberattacks, and it’s knowing where they’re likely to occur. That’s where a vulnerability audit comes in.

For those who are unfamiliar, vulnerability audits are assessments that identify and prioritize your system’s vulnerabilities. They uncover your company’s most pressing threats, allowing you to address the weaknesses before they cause harm.

Why Vulnerability Audits Are a “Must” and not a “Should”

We know what you’re about to say. “Sure ThrottleNet, I bet a vulnerability audit would help me with data protection. But I have so much going on. It doesn’t have to be a priority, right?”

Can you guess our answer?

Vulnerability audits need to be your first priority. Your business depends on your data’s security, and you’ll never feel truly secure until you know what you’re facing.

Besides, there’s a whole slew of other benefits, too:

Save time and money 

When you reduce the odds of a data breach, you save your future-self the time and trouble it takes to deal with one. A simple virus will slow your employees’ work speeds and increase downtime. A full-blown attack will force you to spend time and money on rebuilding your reputation for months. 

A vulnerability audit won’t take more than one workweek.

Determine your level of risk for each type of breach

Vulnerability audits don’t just prevent cyberattacks; they show you which attacks you’re most susceptible to.

Let’s say you’ve spent most of your data protection budget on securing your hardware, only to perform an audit and discover that your cloud is the system that needs the most attention. Now you can allocate resources to the appropriate firewalls and in-depth employee training.

Simplify your data protection strategies

There’s a reason everyone makes fun of the business world for overusing phrases like “core competency,” “leverage,” and “utilize.” They’re needlessly complicated.

Given the choice, most of us would sacrifice the flashy-but-useless processes for ones that are simple and easy to comprehend. It’s the difference between sounding smart and being smart.

That’s true for data protection, too. A vulnerability audit simplifies your security measures and policies. After finishing an audit, you know where to focus your energies—and where not to. That will streamline your processes quicker than you could believe.

Need Help with Data Protection?

Preventative maintenance is one of the most important aspects of cybersecurity. Once you establish a habit of fixing your problem areas before they break, you’ll run a much smoother company.

But even preventative care can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start.

We want every business to feel secure, so here at ThrottleNet, we offer free vulnerability audits to any company with over 10 employees or computers. Our IT consultants in St. Louis will uncover your domain vulnerabilities, website weaknesses, email threats, and other network security issues. Contact us today to learn more about our free audits and commitment-free IT services.