Technology Unwrapped

It is no secret that 2021 was full of cyber-related incidents. From the Colonial Pipeline to a cream cheese shortage, cyber attacks hit hundreds of small and midsize businesses (SMBs), sometimes more than once. As a result, SMBs have to take extreme cyber security measures to keep their network safe.

Technology is integral for all types of businesses. It is a vital part of communicating with customers and running your company. You can’t run a business without technology. And, if your system goes down, your business struggles.

Cybercriminals use ransomware to infect a network or desktop and lock or encrypt vital files and data until a ransom is paid. The ransom could be high and financially debilitate a business. More often than not, sensitive data isn’t released even after the ransom is paid. The only guaranteed result of paying a ransom is the cybercriminal receiving funds to keep harming other businesses.

With the click of a button, technology streamlines business operations that can save time, energy, and money. To take technology further, there comes a time when every business needs to take inventory of what they use, and how they can upgrade outdated technology to produce more and faster.

Ransomware is malware that infects a system or network and either locks the device or blocks off files until business owners pay a ransom. Ransomware and data breaches can be catastrophic to a business that doesn't take proper security measures and is vulnerable to attack. They are either crushed by the financial loss of downtime or by the permanent loss of confidential, sensitive data – data that could be sold on the dark web or used to harm customers and employees.

Today, CoreTech announced their partnership with Sangoma to offer small and midsize businesses Switchvox on-premise phone systems. This comes at a good time as many companies are transitioning to new phone systems as old systems go end of life, including TOSHIBA phone systems.

During the pandemic, technology proved its worth by connecting people, maintaining productivity, and even doing so remotely while simultaneously reaching revenue targets. According to Gartner, boards and CEOs are more willing to invest in technology due to the successful business outcomes it provides. As a result, 2021 saw worldwide IT spending rise by almost 9% and is forecasted to increase another 5% in 2022.

Hackers continue to refine their intrusion techniques to create more sophisticated attacks. But they still use tried and true methods. One is a brute force attack, a trial-and-error hacking method to crack passwords, login credentials, and encryption keys. They systematically try or steal, different usernames and passwords until they log into the system correctly.

As a business grows and matures, so does the demand for quality IT services. Adapting to growth impacts all areas of your Omaha business, from personnel to workflow management. To succeed, your business needs to be scalable and prepared for changes that occur both internally and externally.

You have installed layered security systems, and created backups, onsite and offsite. You may have even hired the best Omaha IT professionals to monitor your security, and yet, your business is still at risk. How can this be? You may be thinking the answer is because of the constant sophistication of cyber-attacks, and you are not wrong about that. However, the greatest weakness and biggest risk to your small business IT security is your staff, the people who are in your system every day.