April 17th, 2025 → 1:33 pm @ afoelber // No Comments
Your employees might be the biggest cybersecurity risk in your business – and not just because they’re prone to click phishing e-mails or reuse passwords. It’s because they’re using apps your IT team doesn’t even know about. This is called Shadow IT, and it’s one of the fastest-growing security risks for businesses today. Employees download and use unauthorized apps, software and cloud services – often with good intentions – but in reality they’re creating massive security vulnerabilities without even realizing it. What Is Shadow IT? Shadow IT refers to any technology used within a business that hasn’t been approved, vetted or secured by the IT department. It can include things like: Employees using personal Google Drives or Dropbox accounts to store and share work documents. Teams signing up for unapproved project management tools like Trello, Asana or Slack without IT oversight. Workers installing messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram on […]
April 17th, 2025 → 1:31 pm @ afoelber // No Comments
A client recently asked me, “What mistakes do you see business owners making the most when it comes to IT and cybersecurity?” Oh, where to begin… After years of working with businesses of all sizes, the biggest mistake I see time and again is treating IT and cybersecurity as an afterthought. It doesn’t matter how many data breaches are in the news; I see business owner after business owner either underestimating the real risks of cyberthreats or assuming that setting up some basic protections is enough. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it’s not enough. A single breach, ransomware attack or IT failure can cripple your business overnight. And yet, too many companies take a reactive approach – prioritizing security only after something goes wrong – which, guess what, is more tiresome and more expensive. Another common mistake? Thinking free software is “good enough.” […]
March 19th, 2025 → 6:31 pm @ kamind // No Comments
Mark your calendars: October 14, 2025 – the day Windows 10 officially reaches its end of life. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes or technical support for Windows 10. But what does this mean for your business applications and productivity tools? If you’re still using Windows 10 after the cutoff date, it’s not just your operating system that will be at risk – your critical business applications could be affected too. Let’s break down what you need to know. No More Security Updates = Major Vulnerabilities Once Windows 10 support ends, there will be no more security patches. This means any vulnerabilities discovered after October 14, 2025, will remain unpatched, leaving your applications exposed to cyberthreats. What This Means For Your Applications: Higher Risk Of Data Breaches: Without security patches, your applications will be more susceptible to hacking attempts, ransomware and other malicious attacks. […]
March 19th, 2025 → 6:26 pm @ kamind // No Comments
When it comes to running a business, most owners consider aspects like quality customer service, reliable products or services, and closely monitored P&Ls as reasons for company success or failure. Most never consider one other sneaky element that is often overlooked as a make-or-break factor because it’s “a boring necessity.” What is it? Your technology. The technology you choose to use to run your business shapes and drives your success. Dropped calls can affect sales performance. Poor collaboration tools can slow team communication. However, having effective technology and IT support isn’t just about fixing glitches or installing the right software. It’s about leveraging technology strategically to enhance productivity, secure sensitive data and drive growth in all areas of the business. As we move into Q2, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how technology impacts your business, what updates you’ve made and how they’ve performed so far and, most importantly, […]
March 1st, 2025 → 12:29 am @ kamind // No Comments
Introduction When companies work towards their CMMC certifications, they can speed up the process through something called “Inheritance”. This means they can use security measures that have already been approved by another organization. By partnering with a certified service provider, they can get certified faster and reduce the risk of failing the certification. What Is Inheritance? Inheritance allows a company seeking certification to use the security measures from a certified service provider. This means they don’t have to work on areas that have already been approved, making the certification process easier and more likely to succeed. Example 1: Using Azure Government Imagine a company using Azure Government services. They use a tool called KAMIND Guard+ to generate reports needed for certification. The company only needs to have a policy for reviewing these reports. This saves time and money because the certification body will mark this requirement as “MET” without needing […]
February 20th, 2025 → 4:47 pm @ kamind // No Comments
Spring is finally here, which means it’s time to spring-clean. While you’re busy decluttering your office and organizing files, don’t forget your IT systems deserve a refresh too. A “spring-clean” for your business technology can uncover inefficiencies, strengthen security and improve overall performance so you can operate more efficiently, reduce costly downtime and focus on growing your business without tech distractions. Where should you start? Of course, the usual “delete old files and update your software” advice is important, but today we want to share a few additional but practical strategies to truly optimize your business systems. 1. Conduct A Comprehensive IT Audit Spring is the perfect time to review your entire IT environment, from hardware to software to user access. Look for: Outdated hardware: Devices nearing the end of their life cycle. Underused software: Licenses you’re paying for but no longer need. Redundant systems: Tools that duplicate functions or […]
February 20th, 2025 → 4:44 pm @ kamind // No Comments
Business e-mail compromise (BEC) is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous cyberthreats businesses face. While these scams have challenged organizations for years, the introduction of advanced AI tools has made them more sophisticated – and far more dangerous. In 2023, BEC scams caused $6.7 billion in global losses. Even more alarming, a study by Perception Point revealed a 42% increase in BEC incidents during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period the year prior. With cybercriminals harnessing AI to refine their techniques, this trend is only accelerating. What Are Business E-mail Compromise (BEC) Attacks? BEC scams aren’t your average phishing attempts. They’re highly targeted cyberattacks where criminals exploit e-mail accounts to trick employees, partners or clients into sharing sensitive information or transferring funds. Unlike generic phishing, BEC scams often involve impersonating trusted individuals or organizations, making them far more convincing and effective. Why Are BEC Attacks […]
February 3rd, 2025 → 9:49 pm @ kamind // No Comments
It’s time to declutter your digital life! National Clean Out Your Computer Day, celebrated on the second Monday of February, is the perfect reminder to give your computer the attention it deserves. Just like a cluttered desk can slow you down, a cluttered computer can impact productivity – and even put your data at risk. Here’s why it’s important to clean up your computer, along with simple steps to get it done. Why Keeping Your Computer Clean Matters Boost Productivity A cluttered computer can slow down your workflow. Too many files, outdated software or unnecessary programs running in the background can make even the fastest machines crawl. By organizing your digital space, you’ll speed up performance and spend less time searching for what you need. Enhance Security Unused files, apps and outdated software can create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals love to exploit. Keeping your computer clean reduces risks by eliminating potential […]
January 29th, 2025 → 11:41 pm @ axionadmin // No Comments
One of the biggest concerns in Cybersecurity today is that of making sure employees, third party vendors, etc. have all been assigned the optimal mix of rights, permissions, and privileges to conduct their everyday job tasks. However, trying to do this is a lot harder than it looks. For example, you do not want to give too much or give too little. To help resolve this issue, Microsoft has come out with a new tool called “GDAP”. What Is GDAP? It is an acronym that stands for “Granular Delegated Administrative Privilege”. It can be technically defined as follows: “It is a security feature that provides partners with least-privileged access following the Zero Trust cybersecurity protocol.” (SOURCE: 1). It contains two particularly important concepts: Least Privilege: This is where you assign an employee or a third-party vendor just enough rights, permissions, and privileges to do what they need to do and […]
January 23rd, 2025 → 11:49 pm @ kamind // No Comments
It’s game time – and while the biggest teams are gearing up for football’s biggest day, cybercriminals are busy preparing their playbook for 2025. Just like a championship game, the battle against hackers requires strategy, teamwork and preparation. Are you ready to tackle this year’s biggest cybersecurity threats? Here’s what the experts predict for 2025 and how your business can come out on top. This Year’s Cybersecurity MVPs (Most Vicious Perpetrators) 1. AI-Powered Phishing Plays Cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to craft highly personalized and convincing phishing e-mails that can trick even the most cautious employees. These messages look authentic, often mimicking trusted brands or colleagues. Your Defense: Train employees to recognize phishing attempts. Implement e-mail filtering tools that detect and block suspicious messages. Use multifactor authentication (MFA) to protect accounts even if credentials are compromised. 2. Ransomware Blitz Ransomware continues to dominate as one of the biggest threats to […]
