remote working

5 essentials for secure remote working, wherever you’re based

by with No Comment BusinessCloud

Whether you are in the office, on the go, or at home, security is a top priority for all organisations. We recognise the increased demand for businesses to able to work securely. So, we’ve created a list of workplace fundamentals to help provide secure remote working processes.

remote working

1. Get the right equipment

Ensuring your workforce has the right equipment to work securely from any location is essential. The transition from office to remote working has meant that for many, desktops have been left behind and laptops were the way forward. However, not every business has this luxury. Studies found that 17% of legal sector employees are still using personal devices to work from home. Personal devices and networks lack the level of security offices have, making them an easier target for cybercriminals to hack. Therefore, you must set up your workforce with the right equipment to work securely.

One option is a VPN. Your workforce should all have a VPN set up to enable them to work securely. This will provide an extra layer of security for your users. Not only will it hide your employees’ IP address and encrypt data transfers in transit, but it will also conceal users’ locations. If you don’t have a VPN network, get one today.

2. Cloud services

Cloud services are a much more flexible environment for your team to work from and access data remotely. The private cloud will be used by businesses with more confidential data, such as organisations in the legal sector. This is because the private cloud stores data in local servers and is not operated by third-party vendors. However, public cloud services like Microsoft Azure and AWS still offer great security benefits as your cloud provider is responsible for updates and maintenance.

Therefore, your cloud services will be chosen depending on your individual business needs. Whatever cloud environment you decide on, it will enable your team to securely access the information they need to carry out their job efficiently and productively.

3. Backup solution

Backup is non-negotiable if you want to protect the security of your business and its private data. A cyber-attack, natural disaster or a simple mistake can occur at any given moment, and without backing up your documents, files, and more can be lost instantly. This data loss can be crippling to a business. To ensure the security of your documents, implement a comprehensive backup solution that can guarantee you have a safety net to recover from, no matter what the future holds.

4. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

A mandatory element to keep your workforce secure is multi-factor authentication. MFA requires a user to provide either two or more pieces of information to verify themselves to gain access to your systems and accounts. This will add an extra layer of protection when your team log in and will help to keep hackers out. We recommend this as best practise to enhance your organisations’ security and ensure data stays safe.

5. Basic security knowledge and training

Keeping your employees in the dark when it comes to cybersecurity is a mistake. Having your workforce updated with your security policies ensures that they will uphold your business’s security standards. Whether you are remote working or not, it is crucial to be aware of the cyber-threats and security risks that could harm your employees or business. The likelihood of your entire workforce being cybersecurity-savvy is probably unrealistic. Therefore, ensure they are aware of the threats and enable them to become a line of defence in your security strategy. Remember, you are only as strong as your weakest link.

remote working

Tiedata can help set up your business for secure remote working

If you are unsure where to start on your journey to secure remote working, we can provide the right advice and solutions to meet your business security needs. Whether you work in accountancy, retail or the legal sector, we have a solution for you.

Don’t know how ready you are to combat remote working and its challenges?

We’ve got you covered. Our remote working readiness tool can assess how well equipped you are for remote working and provide advice, actionable solutions and key insights.

Find out how ready you are in under 5 minutes!

Take Our Remote Working Readiness Assessment

gavel on laptop

Overcoming IT Challenges Faced in the Legal Sector

by with No Comment BusinessCloud

Working with clients in the legal sector we know that storing, managing and protecting data is essential. Legal practices need IT solutions that they can rely upon to increase productivity and keep sensitive information safe.  

Technology is continuously evolving and transforming organisations worldwide, which can seem like a worrying concept for more traditional law firms. However, digital transformation is just as crucial for those in the legal sector and can be an excellent strategic move. Having IT services that are streamlined, modern and secure will make your whole organisation more efficient and help you to gain back valuable time.

Top 3 challenges to overcome 

1. Work better remotely  

Accessibility to data, programs and networks is vital, particularly in the current climate. Whether you’re working from the office, in court or at home, having the information that you need at your fingertips will make all the difference. Having a hosted infrastructure means that your whole team can access everything that they would typically be able to access in the office, with no exceptions. 

Optimising Microsoft 365 backup, storage, and cloud solutions will make sure that you can get straight to work, no matter where you are. Tiedata tailor every cloud solution to individual clients. Whether you require comprehensive cloud security, want a public, private or hybrid cloud, or want to use robust cloud solutions like Microsoft Azure  – we have what you need.

2. Trustworthy data handling 

Data Privacy protection

Data in the legal sector is often of the highest sensitivity and confidentiality. You need to trust that your sensitive data is being handled professionally by experts who know what they’re doing. There are a multitude of data security and compliance services on offer including GDPR reporting, intrusion protection and vulnerability testing.

Partnering with Tiedata will ensure that you also receive 24/7 support, bespoke data management plans and business continuity solutions to ensure you can keep doing what you do best with minimal downtime, no matter what challenges or incidents occur.

3. Comprehensive cyber security

The best way to protect your data is to ensure that you and your team are aware of the threats you face. Security Awareness Training is an easy and accessible way to cover every end-user, device and network that your team engage with. In light of recent research that shows 97% of all employees struggle to reliably identify phishing emails (Barracuda Networks) – cyber security training is a no-brainer.  

When you are a busy professional who receives hundreds of messages and emails per day, training is all the more critical. Even the best of us can be fooled by hacker’s sophisticated attacks on a busy day, and with phishing attacks on the rise since COVID-19, this is a crucial investment to make.  

If you manage to be efficient on the go and access your data securely, this will only help boost and streamline your work.  

Tiedata can help

We know that technology is ever-changing so, it is best to be prepared for every circumstance or potential crises. 

Get in touch with our experts at Tiedata to overcome the IT challenges faced in the legal sector. Don’t let your success be hindered, act now. 

Contact Us Today

IT-Business-Continuity-Checklist

IT Business Continuity Checklist 2020

by with No Comment Cloud

Assessing your company’s remote work capabilities

Working from home has been seen by many, as a short-term situation. However, it now seems this will become a longer-term way of operating with many employees working from home exclusively due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

We have produced an IT Remote Working Business Continuity Checklist to help you assess your company’s work capabilities.

Is My Business Prepared?

 

Yes

No

Action

Have you updated your work-from-home policy in the last 12 months?

Have you communicated policy and expectations for all employees now working from home?

Do you need to acquire more phones/laptops to ensure all employees have a sanctioned device?

Do you have enough VPN licenses to issue them as needed?

Does the employee have sufficient Internet access to perform their job?

Have you identified if remote employees have access to systems or platforms required to successfully perform their job?

I.E. Cloud applications

Is your company able to provide secure measures to avoid cyber attack risks when working remotely?

I.E. Protected Wi-Fi; VPN Connection; Multi-Factor Authentication

Do you need to make adjustments to your IT budget to deliver necessary resources?

Do you need to offer remote work security training to your staff?

Do you know if your users are using their ISP router/firewall only?

Do you feel that with remote working, security has become weaker – as you’re solely relying on VPN for security?

If employees are using their own devices for remote working, are you aware if they have anti-virus or updates enabled?

TieData can offer you a FREE comprehensive remote working security suite for 60-days for up to 250 users. From protecting VPN connections to optimising login experience by integrating Cloud applications with a single sign-on process, authentication is a smart and simplified avenue to protect your remote workforce.

Contact us today to start your 60-day FREE offer.

cloud obstacles

3 Obstacles to Cloud Success

by with One Comment Cloud

Business decision-makers all over the world realise now that Cloud strategies have to become a priority. While most businesses use the Cloud in a somewhat ambiguous way, not enough of them have a clear plan that is set up with specific obstacles in mind.  

There are three primary factors that no business wants on – money, time and control.  

Here’s how to overcome these obstacles to your Cloud success: 

Wasted Money 

No one wants to pay for more than they need. It’s essential to look at precisely what is included in your Cloud solution and that you have the best deal for your business. Many Cloud packages, including Microsoft Cloud solutions, have extra licenses that users pay for but rarely use. 

Ensuring that you can are only paying for Cloud services that benefit your business strategy is the key to successfully optimising the Cloud. Working with a Managed Service Provider is the best way to ensure that you are getting the best Cloud solution for your specific business needs.  

Wasted time 

One of the primary reasons that businesses today waste time is by not having the right resources and expertise. Cloud technology is continually evolving and changing. If you do not have dedicated IT staff or are trained in understanding Cloud computing, then you may find yourself stuck in the present. Evolving as a business alongside the evolution of technology is the only way not to get left behind.  

If you do not have the expertise required, you will be wasting time, money and resources trying to do work that the right person should be able to keep on top of for you. 

The Cloud is optimised best when data is organised and segmented in a way that is easy to understand and locate.  It’s very common for the Cloud environment to quickly get bloated with data, which can negatively impact performance and productivity. You will waste less time and money in the long run if you add cloud specialists to your team, or better yet, work with a third-party team of Cloud specialists.

Loss of control 

It’s essential to be in control of your data at all times. Without regularly analysing your Cloud environment, you won’t be able to understand the risks you face correctly.  

If your data is not entirely secure, you could end up paying a lot more in the long run, and you may see your productivity decrease over time.  

The most common Cloud security threats. 

Having control over your data is not only essential to avoid losing valuable information, but also to keep your business compliant. If you have not adequately assessed the risks of cloud computing and thought of solutions, sufficiently, you could be putting your business in some tricky situations with GDPR and security regulations.  

Ultimately, if you prepare yourself well for Cloud migration and plan for these obstacles, the Cloud will transform your business. It’s no secret that unlocking the potential of cloud computing in a business is a springboard into growth. It provides agility and if used correctly, can increase efficiency and productivity.  

Don’t fall victim to these Cloud obstacles. Ensure that your business is secure, productive and future proof.  

What are your cloud blindspots?

Book a Free Microsoft 365 Cloud Risk Assessment Report

Get your free Microsoft 365 Cloud Risk Assessment including a full report of issues and recommendations.  Let’s start mitigating your risks today.

Request Free 365 Risk Assessment Report
365 Backup Blog

4 Key Reasons Why Microsoft 365 Backup Is Critical

by with No Comment Cloud

Microsoft 365 is the perfect tool to ensure your business is prepared and stays ahead of the curve. However, Microsoft place the responsibility of backing up your sensitive data to you. You know your data best, and what your priorities and business needs are.  

Let’s break down the key reasons why backing up your 365 business data is so important. 

Unlimited storage & retention 

Although Microsoft 365 is a cloud solution, it does not include cloud backup. Microsoft will retain your deleted items for only 30 days, after that they are deleted, and when we say deleted, we really do mean it’s totally gone forever. Tiedata Managed Backup for Microsoft 365 plugs those retention gaps, ensuring nothing will fall through the cracks. 
We will keep an unlimited amount of data stored for an unlimited time frame. 
If you value your data, it’s worth investing in an advanced backup extension to your Microsoft 365, to ensure that everything stays safe. 

Keeping your data safe from cyber-attacks 

Ransomware is a kind of cyber-attack that finds unprotected data to use against victims by publishing it, unless a ransom is paid. The more data you have unprotected, or with insufficient protection, the more at risk your business is to being attacked. Backing up your emails, files and important data long term in a secure system will ensure that you don’t have to think twice or worry about potential cyber-attacks.  

Accidents can happen 

Believe it or not, the leading cause of loss of data is through human error. We’ve all been in a position where we panic to find something in our ‘recent’ folder, fearing that it’s lost forever! Thankfully even if those mistakes are made accidentally or maliciously by employees, everything you need will be safely backed up and accessible for years to come. 

Staying compliant  

Since GDPR regulations were enforced in May 2019, it’s become the priority of organisations ensure that they are complying by data regulations and best practices. If you keep sensitive or private information of employees, customers or investors insufficiently safe, you could be at risk of large business (and expensive) repercussions. Tiedata’s Microsoft 365 backup enables you to not have to worry about staying compliant. Everything is covered, no matter which device, program or user it comes from. Not only that, but we will update our systems as regulations and best practices update to ensure that you never have to stress about it again.  

Microsoft 365 solutions are central to the efficient running of numerous global businesses. We all use our email, calendar and files every day for multiple pieces of information. Whether you have a lot of sensitive data or not, it’s always best to consider whether your users are safe, and your business is future proof. Investing in Tiedata’s Microsoft Managed Backup for Microsoft 365 is not only a good idea, but is something we think is vital for any organisation to remain safe, secure and successful.  

Check out our online pricing tool to see just how affordable securing your business critical 365 data can be. 

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