An Entry Level Guide to Creating and Maintaining Secure Passwords

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Passwords are a crucial component of online security. They are the keys to unlocking our digital lives, protecting everything from our bank accounts to email inboxes. Unfortunately, not all passwords are created equal, and people often use easily guessable patterns and passwords that put them at risk of cyber attacks. This entry-level guide will cover the basics of creating and maintaining secure passwords.

Why Do You Need a Secure Password?

Before we dive into how to create a secure password, let’s take a moment to talk about why you need one. In today’s digital world, passwords have become ubiquitous, with everything from online shopping accounts to social media profiles requiring passwords. Unfortunately, hackers and cybercriminals are always looking for ways to access these accounts, and weak passwords are often the first target. A strong password can help prevent unauthorized access and protect your online identity, sensitive data, and finances.

How to Create a Secure Password

Now that we understand the importance of a secure password let’s talk about how to create one. A good password is hard to guess but easy to remember. Here are some best practices for creating a strong password:

• Length—The lengthier the password, the harder it is to crack. Always get one with a minimum of 12 characters.
• Complexity—Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using common words or phrases.
• Uniqueness—Using the same or similar password for different accounts increases the risk of a data breach. If one account is compromised, all your other accounts are at risk.
• Personal Information—Do not use personal information such as your address, name, or birth date as part of your password. Hackers can easily guess these details. A strong password should include lower and uppercase letters, special characters, such as #, @, or ! and numbers.
• Passphrases—Consider using a passphrase instead of a password. A passphrase is a sentence or a sequence of words that are easy to remember but hard to guess.

Maintaining Secure Passwords

having a strong password is the first step in protecting your online accounts. Following best practices for maintaining secure passwords is essential to ensure continued protection. Here are some tips for maintaining secure passwords:

• Change Passwords Regularly—Change your passwords every 90 days or so, especially for those accounts where you have kept sensitive data. Changing your passwords every 3-6 months can help protect your accounts from cyber threats. Consider using a password manager to simplify the process of changing your passwords.
• Use A Password Manager—Consider using a password manager to create and store unique, complex passwords for each account.
• Do Not Share Passwords—Never share your passwords with anyone, including friends and family.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication—Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second verification step, such one-time code or a fingerprint.
• Watch Out For Phishing Scams—Be aware of scams, where cybercriminals trick you into giving away your password by posing as a legitimate source, such as a bank or social media site.

Bottom Line

Creating and maintaining secure passwords is an essential aspect of online security. Following the best practices outlined in this entry-level guide can help protect your accounts and personal information from cyber-attacks. Remember to use a unique, complex password for each account, change passwords regularly, and enable two-factor authentication for added protection. Stay vigilant and stay safe online.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/an-entry-level-guide-to-creating-and-maintaining-secure-passwords/

Will Blockchain Technology Improve Security?

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The blockchain is a technology that has really taken off in the past couple of years, with many people asking if the same technology behind cryptocurrencies can be applied to other uses and applications. Let’s consider how the blockchain might be used outside of cryptocurrency and in various industries—particularly for security—in the future.

What is the Blockchain?

Also known as distributed ledger technology, the blockchain is a way of sharing data via peer-to-peer networks and computer systems. This might encompass thousands of computers in total, all working to share data to each other. The really interesting part, however, is that each process or transaction amongst these computers is recorded in a ledger. This effectively builds a decentralized and trustworthy chain of records.

This is important for security, as you can’t go back to change one record without changing every single other record following it.

Decentralization is Key Here for Security

The basic idea is this: many organizations use centralized servers, so hackers have one easy target to strike to bring down an infrastructure through, say, a Distributed Denial of Service attack.

If the theoretical defender were to be using blockchain technology for security, however, the attack would not be so easy to pull off. Instead of targeting one server, the attacker would now have to target the entire blockchain to pull off the same attack. Otherwise, the rest of the blockchain would reject the attack, seeing there would be a change in one of the attacked nodes and rejecting that change in kind.

This might be a bit of an oversimplification, but it doesn’t need to be a complex description in order to see the value in this kind of innovation.

This is all, of course, hypothetical for the time being, so while you are trying to determine the best way to protect your infrastructure, we recommend you contact Reciprocal Technologies. Our cybersecurity professionals can work with your business to make sure that your network is safe and sound. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/will-blockchain-technology-improve-security/

You Can’t Outsource Everything: 3 Parts of Your Business that Need to Remain In-House

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Businesses today have more options than ever before for their needs. With so many vendors available outside your typical in-house office environment, you can get most of the services you need via outsourcing. That said, there are certain processes you shouldn’t outsource, even if you think it might be a good idea.

Administration

You shouldn’t be outsourcing the jobs of people who run the company, and we can say this with confidence for a couple of reasons. For one, why should employees follow the vision of someone who doesn’t even work in your office? Furthermore, what real vested interest do third-party administrators have in your success? Outsourcing project implementation is one thing, but outsourcing the administrative infrastructure of your business is another entirely, and not a good idea.

Onboarding and Offboarding

Some businesses outsource their human resources functions, which is perfectly reasonable, as there can be a lot of value from doing so. That said, you shouldn’t have all of the functions of a human resources team be handled by a third party. You’ll want to ensure that talent acquisition in particular, as well as letting go of people, is handled in-house. This is because you want to ensure that you get and keep the right talent for your company, which is something that an outsourced human resources department will have trouble keeping up with.

Product Development

Your products and services are the core reasons your organization is in business. Why should you continue to work with others to help them? Whoever is in charge of developing your offerings needs to have an intimate knowledge of your consumers, as well as your company’s values. You can’t expect any third-party provider to know these things, and you shouldn’t need to.

Outsourcing opens up plenty of opportunities to improve operations for your business, including outsourcing some or all of your IT operations to a provider. We can work with your business to ensure that your network is working to further your company’s goals. To learn more about what we can do to support your business, reach out to us at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/you-cant-outsource-everything-3-parts-of-your-business-that-need-to-remain-in-house/

Tip of the Week: Optimizing Your Business’ Technology in Three Ways

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Businesses cannot run without technology. This relationship has only grown more complicated and complex over time, and with so many businesses depending on their technology in ways never before seen, you’ll have to understand just how great of an impact your technology has on the way your organization runs. Here are three ways you can implement the right tools to see increased success.

Invest in Mobility

Businesses are not confined to the office the way they used to be. Any place can become your office with the right mobile technology solutions. Depending on the circumstances, you might encounter times when it is actually preferable to work in one location over another, like if you are sick with a viral disease. Naturally, it makes sense that you should take steps toward providing everyone with the tools they need in a mobile-friendly environment like the cloud.

Be Intentional with Your Network Design

Hardwired networks do provide benefits, but again, so too does a Wi-Fi connection. In order to get the most value out of your Internet connection, you’ll have to be strategic with which devices use your hardwired connection versus your wireless connection. How far will your wireless travel, and which devices need to maintain constant uptime with little room for error? Focusing on these issues now will save you a lot of time when you have to reexamine your infrastructure later on, after your business has grown a bit.

Accept Help from Experts

Chances are that even with an internal IT department, there is plenty of work to go around. An internal department might even be overwhelmed or overworked to get everything done, leading to, well, things just not getting done. Considering the plethora of tasks that must be accomplished, ranging from monitoring a network, securing it, providing assistance to your staff, and implementing new solutions, it’s no wonder that even a dedicated IT department could get burnt out or overlook tasks.

Instead of overworking your staff, you can instead turn to Reciprocal Technologies and outsource some of these responsibilities, making everyone’s lives easier. In fact, an MSP can be just as effective as an internal IT department, particularly if you don’t have an internal team to supplement. Regardless, however, we are sure that your business can benefit from having more IT professionals around.

Reciprocal Technologies can be your go-to IT resource. To learn more about how we can help your business be more profitable, productive, and competitive, reach out to us at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/tip-of-the-week-optimizing-your-business-technology-in-three-ways/

What You Can Do to Preserve Security With Remote Work in Play

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Remote work is now more common than it has ever been before, so we want to ensure that you are informed about the security implications of switching from in-house operations to remote or hybrid operations. Let’s discuss some practical ways you can implement remote work security policies and procedures.

Securing Your Remote Operations is a Multi-Faceted Process

To get started, let’s review some of the common ways you might secure a remote network infrastructure.

Utilize a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Virtual private networks are going to be more secure alternatives to just about any other network, and they can transform your typical wireless network connection into an encrypted tunnel for security even while away from the protections of your in-house network. A VPN encrypts data sent from and received by your device, giving your users a secure way of transferring data. It’s a must-have for any company that has remote operations in any capacity.

And yes, this means using the VPN when the employee is working from home, away for a business trip, or just working from a public location. You don’t know what else is connected to those networks, so treat them with some scrutiny.

Only Use Secured and Approved Hardware and Software

Similarly, you’ll want to ensure that your team members are only using devices and applications that have been cleared by IT. Only appropriate tools should be used by your business, and these tools need to be approved by your IT department to ensure the security of your network. Any devices housing or accessing business data, after all, need to be screened and protected for the purposes of compliance.

This is especially important for remote workers who might feel tempted to just find their own solutions for problems rather than bother those who are in-house or seemingly inaccessible. We recommend using cloud-based tools that can be accessed by any approved device, thereby eliminating the need to pursue other avenues of productivity that are not approved for use.

Keep This Hardware and Software Maintained

Once you have made it clear what tools you need your team to use, you’ll have to put every effort you can into ensuring they are maintained and managed properly. This means making sure they aren’t a headache to use by updating them with patches and updates as they are released.

Furthermore, your solutions will need to be monitored, particularly for the remote employees, to ensure that no security threats are happening while out of the office. If you maintain diligence and vigilance, you’ll be surprised by how many security breaches you can thwart before they even become an issue for your business.

Implement Basic Security Standards

Look, you might think we are making a big to-do about security, but the fact of the matter is that security really is that important. Poor security practices can make or break businesses much larger and more profitable than yours. Remember that no business is too small to become the target of a breach, and you should have proper security standards in place, like secure passwords and multi-factor authentication, to protect your company at all times.

We’re Here to Help Businesses Operate Effectively and Securely, Regardless of Where Their Team Members are Working

Reciprocal Technologies can protect your business from all manners of threats. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/what-you-can-do-to-preserve-security-with-remote-work-in-play/

Solving Your Business Problems Isn’t Always Simple

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Remote work doesn’t come without its fair share of issues, but with a little creativity and ingenuity, you can help your remote employees overcome them. Let’s examine structured problem solving, a particularly helpful approach to issue resolution that can help your team be more productive throughout the workday.

Structured Problem Solving Explained

When you take a good look at business problems, many of them appear to be large and difficult to approach. This is where structured problem-solving comes into play. This technique can help you break down your large and difficult tasks into smaller and more manageable chunks, allowing you to slowly chip away at the bigger, overarching problem. It sure beats letting it consume you.

One method of structured problem solving that is particularly helpful is called DMAIC, which is short for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. With this approach in mind, you’ll be able to break down complex problems and make them much easier to handle.

How Does DMAIC Work?

• Define which process it is that you are experiencing issues with, where your opportunities for improvement lie, and what goals you want to reach.
• Measure how well your process is performing.
• Analyze the process to identify where the shortcomings are.
• Improve upon the shortcomings by resolving what causes them.
• Control the newly devised process to ensure performance is maintained.

That’s the long and short of it. If you apply this process for the variables in your complex, difficult problem, you’ll be more likely to find the best way to solve it.

Communication Remains a Remote Work Challenge

Your in-house team and your remote team need to be able to communicate effectively, but this is challenging when there is a very real distance between them. Communication is easy enough in the office thanks to multiple communication tools, but it’s also supported by the fact that people can just talk face-to-face when needed. Remote workers don’t have this option.

If we follow the model outlined above, we can define the problem as a lack of communication shared between employees, with the goal being to improve communications between employees in different locations. We can then measure the frequency of employees communicating both in-house and remote.

The next step is determining which part of the process is not working for your organization. In this case it’s workplace communication, and determining what the root cause of it is will be crucial. Is it the tools used during the process that is holding things up? What about a potential leadership or training issue? You can’t leave any possibility off the table.

Once you have information to work with, you can start solving the problem by slowly making changes that advance your goal. You can try adding new tools to your infrastructure, or providing better training courses for your team. Follow up every so often to find out if the issue has truly been resolved, then adjust accordingly over time. 

Get In Touch to Resolve Your Business’ Communications Challenges

Technology can be remarkably helpful for your business, particularly in regards to communications. If you want an easy way to implement new communications technology, look no further than Reciprocal Technologies. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/solving-your-business-problems-isnt-always-simple/

Security Pain Points Every Organization Needs to Confront

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Over a quarter of all data breaches happen to small businesses. The cost of a data breach, well, it sure isn’t worth it. To keep your business’ data and infrastructure free of threats and relatively secure, small businesses will need a combination of useful technology tools and well-designed strategies. Let’s take a look at several steps your small business can take to secure itself from digital theft.

Security Software

It’s pretty evident that the best thing you can do is invest in solutions designed specifically to help keep your business safe. It’s understood that having all the proper firewalls, antivirus, and encryption services in place, and ensuring that they are properly updated, can keep a majority of the threats off your network. By protecting your data at its source, you gain the peace of mind of knowing your data has some defenses around it.

Backup Your Data

Every business should have some type of data backup in place. There is information that your business has that, if it were lost, would either make running your business impossible or at least very least, knock your business out for a time. Downtime can be extraordinarily expensive, but that is really the best you could ask for without data backup.

Today, it’s not enough to simply back up your data to a hard drive or NAS device. You need to also keep copies of your data online. With a Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) device, your business gets just that. Not only can you back up your data in increments up to every 15 minutes, it happens while you work. The data is stored on the BDR device and simultaneously sends a copy to the cloud, stored in an offsite data center. That way, you know your business’ most important data is secure and ready for retrieval.

Have a Plan

There are plenty of security options for the modern business, but in security, it’s easy to have redundant costs. Here are a few ways to invest in your business’ security, without wasting capital.

Physical Security

Unfortunately, threats come from every direction. You need to have a plan for your business’ security—and, not only do you need to prioritize cybersecurity, you need to consider physical security. Today, there are inexpensive cybersecurity options that could be highly effective for protecting the physical security of your investments and your staff. In fact, a compelling case could be made for the small business to combine their IT and physical security initiatives. Some options businesses could employ include:

• Security Cameras – Affordable security camera systems are all over the place, nowadays. They improve rapidly too, so you get what you pay for.
• Access Control Systems – To keep unauthorized people out of your workspace is to protect your physical assets, and your digital ones.
• IoT – Smart tools can be great for security both as a deterrent, but also as integration that can make it simpler to do the right things.

Whatever combination of tools you decide to deploy, you will want to ensure that they do the job they are being deployed for and aren’t going to be difficult to configure with other solutions. Solution overlap could open vulnerabilities, not close them.

Train Everybody

Small businesses need to prioritize comprehensive training for their entire staff. This includes a subsequent testing strategy to ensure that the people that tend to be problematic can be trained properly. Here are a few subjects that your employees need to know about, and how to resolve them without issue.

• Phishing – Many of today’s most successful threats are the result of successful phishing messages. Staff members will have to know how to identify a phishing message and understand what to do when one is detected.
• Password Hygiene – Improper password security causes millions of data loss issues every year. Employees will need to know how to most effectively secure company resources with their password choices.
• Physical Security Best Practices – Many times a negligent employee is the reason that people outside of an organization can steal from it. Making sure that your people know what to do and are willing to do what’s necessary to protect your business is an important step in maintaining a security-minded company.

If everyone is professionally trained, fewer instances of outside theft will happen, mistake-fueled downtime will be minimized, and your business’ data and resources will be more secure.

Keep Testing It

Whatever solutions you do end up integrating into your business’ security strategy, you will want to continually test their limits to see how they would serve your company in the event that they are asked to stand up to an attempted infiltration. All your software solutions will need to be tested regularly, especially after they receive updates.

At Reciprocal Technologies, all of our technicians are extremely security minded. We know that in order to keep your business running smoothly, you need to secure your data, access points, and network. Call our knowledgeable technicians at (317) 759-3972 today to learn more about how we can help your small business secure itself from outside threats.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/security-pain-points-every-organization-needs-to-confront/

Tips on How to Boost Productivity

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Productivity improves as time management improves. It seems like a simple notion, but if you aren’t deliberate about managing your time, there isn’t much positive movement that is going to be had in the productivity meter. This month, we thought we would help you by giving you a few strategies that will work to improve your employees’ productivity. 

Before we start the list, there needs to be a disclaimer. The more you focus on productivity, the more you will have to divorce yourself from the humanity of your staff. Rest assured, when managing a corporate culture, the more that is made of productivity gains, the less engaged many of your employees may become. It is essential to your business’ success that you find a balance between prioritizing productivity and promoting staff-aimed initiatives to keep your production staff happy and turnover low.

Track Time and Limit Time Taken on Tasks

You may think you are good at gauging how much time you spend on your typical tasks, but really only a small percentage are. By tracking how much time you take on your daily tasks, you may find out that you spend too much time obsessing over your email, or you may spend an exorbitant amount of time swiping through your social media accounts. Knowing how you can save time is a great first step in actually saving some. 

Take Regular Breaks

You’re probably thinking that taking breaks works counter to being more productive, but taking scheduled breaks can help improve focus and concentration. This is especially true if you are working on large, time-consuming tasks.

Set Attainable Deadlines

The old mantra, “I work better on a deadline” is likely true. That’s why it’s suggested to set deadlines for yourself that are outside of the deadlines imposed by your organization. A manageable amount of stress is typically helpful to keep ahead of your workload.

Limit Your Exposure to Meetings

If there is a time waster out there, it is the meeting. A normal meeting will resolve the issue in the first ten minutes, or not at all. In fact, according to one study, the average office worker spends around 31 hours a month in meetings. That’s far too long.

Stop Multitasking

The more the concept is studied, the more that psychologists believe that multitasking is detrimental to overall productivity when compared with having dedicated focus on one task at a time.  

Perfection Isn’t Attainable

One big roadblock to productivity is the idea that a task can be carried out perfectly. Sure, you can be comprehensive, but when your business is falling behind because you can’t leave well enough alone, you only have yourself to blame. 

Be Proactive

If you really want to be productive, go into any day knowing what needs to get done. Business is filled with natural distractions; you will want to plan time for all of them. By being proactive, you can eliminate a lot of the not-so-natural distractions.

Turn Off Notifications

How is anyone supposed to work when they have new notifications popping up at them every few minutes? Business is filled with situations where limiting your exposure to notifications can help keep you from being distracted. Turn them off and see how much better you can complete tasks without all the hubbub coming in from the Internet. 

Attempt to Reduce Interruptions

Most of the time staying productive comes down to focus. There are a million and six different types of possible interruptions, but if you can mitigate them, you can be your most productive self.

 If you would like to learn more about how we can improve your productivity, give us a call today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-boost-productivity/

The Password Manager Boosts Organizational Security

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There are so many threats out there that there are positions dedicated within companies to protecting network infrastructures and managing cybersecurity strategy. This alone should be enough to get you to take it seriously. With your employees controlling the “keys to the castle,” i.e., passwords, you need to make sure that you have a solid password strategy in place so as to not inadvertently put your company at risk.

A Great Password Manager is Well Worth the Investment

Simply put, a password manager helps you remember all of the passwords you use throughout the day without having to actually remember them. Password managers are the exception to the rule that you should never write down or save your passwords, as they are software solutions protected with full-fledged, military-grade encryption.

Considering that the average user needs to remember dozens of passwords, having a safe place to store them is a huge benefit.

The password manager will be much more sufficient for protecting your passwords than a notebook, or a file on your computer, or even in your brain, for that matter. Since the passwords you use are going to be complex, and they will be protected by an extremely strong master password, you can know that your credentials are safe and sound, away from prying eyes. All of your passwords will be easily accessible to you through the browser plugin or a dedicated desktop or mobile application, so there is no need to stress about forgetting an important credential or getting locked out of your account.

Password managers also make it easier to share credentials between one-another on the off-chance they need to, like for a shared productivity application account or web service account.

In summary, a password manager…

• Helps you to use sufficiently secure passwords
• Assists you in creating passwords that are more secure
• Enables your entire organization to access shared resources easily

Let’s Get You Started with a Password Manager

If you need help implementing any security solutions—password managers included—look no further than Reciprocal Technologies. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/the-password-manager-boosts-organizational-security/

How Does AI Influence a Business’ Ability to Produce?

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Now that AI tools are more publicly accessible than ever before, the question of whether or not it’s good for business looms ever closer. These tools are limited in their capacity to help, but they do show enormous potential that could be indicative of success in the future. Let’s go over some of the questions people have about AI tools.

Do AI Programs Steal Art and Work from the Internet?

An AI program cannot function without data to work with, and the Internet is the single most populated database in existence. Recent AI tools make use of data found on the Internet, much of which is legally protected by copyright law, often without recognition or recompense. There are even examples you can find online, including those where AI-generated paintings showcase the base work amidst the scraps of others (including the author’s signature). Furthermore, AI-generated text can also be run through plagiarism checkers to determine its authenticity, often failing to pass the test—at least in terms of what is acceptable.

The odds are just as likely that the AI you might use will create more problems than it solves, particularly with this kind of creative work and intellectual property. How these problems will be addressed and resolved is unclear at this time.

AI Could Influence Employment

How work is done is constantly changing, and AI presents yet another opportunity for some businesses to accomplish specific tasks in a different, more hands-off way. While there have been cases in the past where certain technologies and innovations have been replaced by more modern tools, like the horse with the car, for example, certain positions in the creative arts have long been considered “safe” from the interference of technology. Well, AI makes a case against that statement.

There is a very real concern that AI could invalidate many creative positions, even with plagiarism involved. That said, however, it’s equally likely that these positions will simply change and adapt to the new technology. New opportunities will emerge from this new technology, leading to a sort-of “collaboration” between AI tools and their human masters. In this way, AI is doing the heavy lifting while the humans are the ones in charge of managing that lifting.

We’re Here to Help with Your Business’ IT, AI or No

The role that AI will play in business has yet to be determined, but we know that it will be an interesting opportunity when it does arrive. Reciprocal Technologies will be here to help you make technology-related decisions of all kinds, AI included. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/how-does-ai-influence-a-business-ability-to-produce/

How Can T-Mobile’s Security Woes Help Your Efforts?

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Bad news for T-Mobile users, they’ve suffered another data breach. Hackers have gained access to customer data for nearly 37 million individuals, including both pre-paid and subscription-based accounts. Let’s look at what has happened and what knowledge you might apply to your own network security practices.

Why Did This Happen Again?

This hack occurred thanks to a tactic known to target the Application Programming Interface, or API. The API is code that allows an application to connect to the Internet and communicate with other applications. For example, some smart appliances and devices might make use of APIs for their core functionality.

APIs tend to be secure, but they are, of course, not fail-safe, as this breach showcases. Sensitive information was leaked as a result of the T-Mobile data breach. Despite this grim news, take heart knowing that financial information was not exposed or stolen.

T-Mobile discovered this hack on January 5th, but by then, the hack had been active for about one month. The API informed companies using it on November 25, 2022, leaving a clean near-two months between the notification date and the resolution date of January 19th. According to the company, “the malicious activity appears to be fully contained at this time.”

What Can You Learn from This Incident?

T-Mobile has a track record of suffering from data breaches, including attacks in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2015, leading to millions of dollars in settlements. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that network security issues are preventable and costly, so you should do all you can to ensure they don’t bring about challenges for your business.

Granted, API attacks are difficult to identify and resolve, which is why it’s important to identify potential signs of attacks as soon as possible. You can save your business a whole lot of headaches and capital in the process. To learn more about how you can keep these types of attacks from harming your business, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/how-can-t-mobiles-security-woes-help-your-efforts/

Collaboration Tools Can Help Build a Friendlier Workspace

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There’s a misconception in the business world that being too nice will make you appear as a pushover, but as far as cliches go, “Nice guys finish last” doesn’t have much supporting evidence in favor of it.

You Don’t Have to Be a Jerk to Make Progress

Even if the stereotype of the office jerk is all over the place, research shows that being unpleasant in the workplace doesn’t really get you anywhere. If anything, it is actually detrimental to your professional development.

Introducing Cameron Anderson, Professor of Organizational Behavior at UC Berkeley

Following the 2016 election, Anderson sought to study the impact that being unpleasant can have on outcomes. To gauge these results, Anderson chose to examine the correlation between a personality test administered decades ago with where the participants were professionally in the present day.

The end result makes for a great title:  People with disagreeable personalities (selfish, combative, and manipulative) do not have an advantage in pursuing power at work. His research shows that people who are unpleasant in their day-to-day duties are no more likely to make upward progress than those who aren’t, no matter how toxic the workplace is.

The study also showed, however, that pleasantness and generosity were not a factor, either. The research shows that either individual, pleasant or unpleasant, is no more likely to succeed in an isolated environment, but when they are allowed to meld together (as they do in a realistic workplace), they tend to cancel each other out. Another study from the University of Hong Kong, the University of Iowa, and Purdue University showcases an interesting correlation based on the results of a metastudy of 200 other pieces of research. They found that people who are supportive and proactive, not just agreeable, are more likely to reach the top compared to those who aren’t.

Changing the Office Dynamic Takes Effort

Being a jerk isn’t necessarily the determining factor in someone’s success, but it’s also not going to help anyone around you, either. If anything, you should want to remedy this behavior so you can help others around you achieve their best results, too.

Some academics, like Bob Sutton, a professor of management science at Stanford, believe that a zero-tolerance approach toward unpleasant behavior can get the job done. The idea behind this policy is that when someone starts throwing their weight around, you throw it right back at them. Businesses can also make more efforts to reward not just those who are productive from a personal standpoint, but also uplift and encourage their coworkers to be their best selves.

With things like the Great Resignation, quiet quitting, and rage applying all over the place, you really don’t need to give your employees more reasons to seek employment elsewhere. After all, it costs more to replace an employee than to hold on to a good one. If you can foster an encouraging and collaborative environment, you might be surprised by how much you find your workplace can change in a short period of time. It might even help you draw in and retain top talent.

One of the big ways you can make sure your team feels seen, appreciated, and understood is by respecting them enough to give them the tools they need to do their jobs effectively. Reciprocal Technologies can help to make this happen for your business. To learn more about our technology services, be sure to give us a call at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/collaboration-tools-can-help-build-a-friendlier-workspace/

The Role of Managed IT Services in Business Continuity Planning

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Many organizations with critical IT needs recognize the value of managed IT services that add redundancy and resiliency to their network and systems. These programs are designed to improve availability, stability, and performance without jeopardizing system or data integrity.

Read on to discover what managed IT services can do to improve business continuity planning (BCP) and disaster recovery (DR) efforts.

About Managed IT Services

Managed IT service providers include a range of support functions, including support desk management, maintenance, monitoring, and reporting. These services may encompass an entire solution or be offered as part of an overall solution. Either way, they add efficiency and the ability to manage risk effectively across infrastructures.

These services best use existing staff, processes, and technology. They help facility managers and IT personnel regain control of costs by providing value-added support that may not require additional internal staff or IT resources.

Managed services providers (MSPs) administer essential functions across multiple clients while managing their operational environments. They ensure that the end product is managed efficiently, complies with legal and regulatory standards, and provides appropriate security.

What Managed IT Services Can Do for Your Business Continuity Planning

With a managed service provider, you will no longer have to take the time to understand and make decisions that may impact your business continuity plan. Below are just a few of the ways working with an MSP can improve your business’ continuity planning efforts:

• Reduction in Costs and Expenditures—In many cases, the managed services model offers an MSP a more efficient way to consolidate services, which can result in cost savings. If you want to reduce your IT costs, this is one of the first steps.
• Reduced Complexity—Managed IT services may provide a more streamlined, standardized platform for business continuity planning and disaster recovery. With fewer systems, redundancy, and scalability are easier to manage and monitor.
• Reduced Risk and Uncertainties—Managed IT services help to reduce uncertainties by simplifying processes, removing the need for staff expertise, and identifying and minimizing risks that may compromise the data or infrastructure.
• More Savable Data—Resilient data is now stored more flexibly and securely. With managed services, you can rest assured that your data will be 100% recoverable in an IT disaster.

How Managed IT Services Are Useful for Disaster Recovery

• Reduced Risk of Data Loss and Malfunction—The risk of data loss and malfunction is significantly reduced with the help of managed IT services. It is important to consider that the capability provided by these services goes beyond managing data to include overall system integrity.
• Reduced IT Staffing Costs—The number of workers needed to keep the managed service running efficiently is considerably fewer than in other IT service models. This can equate to increased profits for your company.
• Flexibility and Scalability—With a managed IT services provider, you can take advantage of their systems’ scalability when needed. Often, a managed IT services team can scale up or down as changing demands alter system and application requirements across multiple locations.
• Increased Security—Managed IT service providers bring increased security measures that provide protection for your data, infrastructure, customers and employees. These services are designed to provide quick recovery and ongoing monitoring of the virtual network and system integrity.

Key Takeaway

By combining these features, managed IT services help you manage your IT and business requirements more effectively and help you achieve your goals. To see what your business can gain from working with a managed IT service provider, contact Reciprocal Technologies today. Our experts will determine how we can help with your business continuity planning and much more.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/the-role-of-managed-it-services-in-business-continuity-planning/

Paying Attention to Your Cybersecurity Is Just Good Risk Management

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Small businesses have plenty of problems as it is without the added stress that poor security practices can bring about. Small businesses often overlook security because they deem themselves too small to be of any value to a hacker, but this outlook is short-sighted and irresponsible at best. Let’s go over why you’ll need to make security a priority for your business.

How much sensitive data does your business actually store on its network? We bet it’s more than you think. Whether it’s payroll records, bank account numbers, personally identifiable information, information about vendors or clients, you surely have data on your network that a hacker will find valuable. Here are some reasons why you need to make security an important part of your business practices.

Proactive is Better Than Reactive

Any security discrepancy could put your workday at risk, and it could be from something as simple as someone clicking on the wrong link or downloading the wrong attachment. Such a simple mistake could make a world of trouble for your company if you’re not prepared to handle it. Any solution you can implement to keep your company’s infrastructure safe makes it less likely that you’ll suffer from a security breach, thus reducing the time you spend reacting to them in the process.

Secure Your Business’ Future

Nobody wants to work with a business that doesn’t take its security seriously, especially if that business is housing important financial or personal information on their network to provide you with a good or service. The same can be said for your clients. If you aren’t careful with your security, any clients affected by negligence will leave poor reviews and tell others about their experiences, thus leaving you with slim pickings for potential new clients in the Indiana community. It’s better to play it safe and implement security tools to protect your business now so you don’t suffer the consequences later.

Protect Your Assets

Of course, the lost productivity and lost customers are only the tip of the iceberg for the fallout of a data breach. Depending on your industry, you may also be subject to fines associated with various regulations and rules you must follow. If you don’t want these fines to break your budget and overwhelm your organization from both a financial and legal perspective, then you’d better be prepared to cough up some change for security solutions before you are affected by a data breach.

Don’t let poor security practices hold your business back from its full potential. To get started with protecting your organization and its future, reach out to Reciprocal Technologies at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/paying-attention-to-your-cybersecurity-is-just-good-risk-management/

What Can You Gain from AI?

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AI is a major topic lately, whether it’s on the topic of new and upcoming chatbots that are capable of generating text or making art that can compete with even the most skilled of artists. AI is commonly targeted as a culprit in stealing jobs, as well, and with these applications becoming more sophisticated over time, it’s no wonder people aren’t sure how to react to these developments.

However, AI has advanced to the point where even small businesses and individuals can take advantage of it to at least some degree. In fact, you might already be doing so without realizing it. Let’s discuss how AI is used in business and what could be next for AI in the workplace.

AI Makes Important, Monotonous Tasks Easier and More Efficient

Process automation has been happening as far back as the advent of the wheel and in agriculture, but AI takes this concept one step further by taking existing information and adapting it. Most of the automation you see in the workplace is process automation, which takes tasks that humans usually handle—tasks that aren’t necessarily productive or engaging—and automates them, saving time and money that could be better spent on other, more productive tasks that are more suited to them. These tasks might involve innovation or other aspects of the creative process that are not-so-easily automated.

AI Provides Insights Faster Than the Alternatives

Businesses run on data, so if it’s organized, it’s more manageable and usable. Finding the time and resources to do this, however, is something that can be difficult for businesses, especially without it leading to considerable user error. AI uses algorithms to make this process easier and more efficient, and some systems can even use existing data to extrapolate potential outcomes and predict what could happen in the future. AI is able to quickly identify patterns that the human brain might not pick up on, but this doesn’t make the human’s role in the process any less important. The AI needs human input to work properly, after all.

AI Assists with Customer and Client Communication

AI can help businesses better manage their outreach efforts by recalling past conversations and communications, effectively providing individuals with personalized experiences. Using an AI to keep track of this information saves your business time and resources while making your services that much more convenient for your consumers. AI can also operate as a chatbot for your business, helping customers with some of the more frequently asked questions and making support more accessible and convenient. This idea, called cognitive engagement, is one reason why AI is such a popular tool for communications and support. It gives workers, whether they are doctors or IT technicians, more time to focus on providing the best service they can.

AI Has Its Uses for Your Business, Too

If your business is considering the use of AI to augment its practices, then we can help you make that determination by discussing your options. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/what-can-you-gain-from-ai/

3 Factors You Need to Consider Before You Upgrade

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If you consistently find that technology in your office causes more problems than it’s worth, perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at what you could be doing better with your infrastructure. We want you to look at failing or inoperable/inefficient technology as an opportunity for improvement rather than another large expense. A good hardware refresh centered around your organization’s needs can revitalize operations and improve your bottom line.

To help you better identify these opportunities, let’s examine some of the frustrations you might experience that could result in a hardware refresh.

Slow Technology

Slow technology is a telltale sign that something is wrong with your infrastructure. Computers will grow slower and more sluggish over time, and they will ultimately result in your operations and security suffering. Be sure to implement a timeline for when you will refresh your computers, somewhere between the three-and-five year mark. Of course, if things get too slow for your preference, it’s perfectly fine to address this issue before (or even after) that point.

Furthermore, we also recommend that you upgrade your servers around the four-year mark. Some companies can get away with going longer, but we don’t recommend it, as technology can become obsolete and unsupported if you’re not careful. Plus, the maintenance and upkeep of old servers can be more than the cost of simply upgrading it. Basically, the rule here is simple; overestimate the time it will take to upgrade your infrastructure, and you can do no wrong.

A Growing Company

If your business has seen considerable growth since the last time you upgraded your infrastructure, it is time to consider it. Your network is likely under more pressure than it was when you were just a handful of employees getting things started. You should see this upgrade as an exciting opportunity rather than an annoyance or a budget-breaker, as it means that your organization is thriving and growing. Still, looking at your entire infrastructure can be intimidating, to say the least.

Legacy software in particular can be challenging to move away from, as your team has likely been using it for a long time and is used to it. The older a software becomes, the less likely it is to play nice with new and innovative tools that could help you stay competitive. You’ll want to stay ahead of this if possible, and know that replacing legacy applications with more viable, long-term solutions is a sign that your business is making progress when so many others are stagnating.

A Remote Team

A remote workforce brings opportunities for improvement, as there are unique challenges and opportunities presented by the possibility of your team working off-site. With cloud-hosted tools, you can increase the flexibility and accessibility of your resources to not just your remote team, but also to your in-house employees. This allows for smoother operations as a whole across the board.

Plus, cloud computing can have considerable benefits for your budget, cutting your costs by about one-third. If you implement it properly, it can save you a lot in terms of operational costs and capital expenses. With the cloud, you’ll find deploying assets, managing solutions, and allocating resources to be as simple as can be. With so many software solutions out there, you will surely find the Software-as-a-Service technologies your business needs to see great and continued success through the cloud.

Is your business ready to make upgrades to its infrastructure? Let us help make the process easier for you so you can focus on running your business. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/3-factors-you-need-to-consider-before-you-upgrade/