Managed Services Archives - ISG Technology

5 reasons why you need a backup service, even if you’re using Office 365

February 20, 2019/in Backup as a Service, Blog, Continuity, Managed Services, Modern Office, Professional Services, Resources, Security, Storage /by ISG Tech

Enterprises around the world continue to move key applications to the cloud. But the speed and scope of migration presenting new challenges regarding data protection, service delivery, and compliance.

While most organizations have developed robust on-premises backup solutions, the failure to protect cloud data and ensure the availability of key services is widespread and incredibly alarming.

While Microsoft has sound internal security and is capable of managing Office 365 infrastructure, third-party services are needed to ensure comprehensive data protection and compliance. Let’s take a look at 5 key reasons why you need a dedicated backup service when you’re using Office 365.

Protection against internal accidents and threats

Regardless of how careful you are with your data, accidents can and do happen. Whether it’s the accidental deletion of a user, the incorrect merging of fields, or the failure of a key service, accidental deletion can be replicated across an entire network and lead to serious problems.

Simple accidents have been responsible for serious damage over the last few years, with an outage on Amazon Web Services costing up to $150 million dollars in 2017.

A backup service can restore data and services quickly and with minimum disruption, either to the on-premise Exchange or the Office 365 cloud network. In addition, dedicated backup services can protect you against internal security threats and manage the risk of malicious data loss or destruction.

Protection against external security threats

Along with internal security threats, many businesses have experienced a rise in malware, viruses, data theft and other security threats from the outside.

Kaspersky blocked almost 800 million attacks from online resources across the globe in the first quarter of 2018 alone.

While Microsoft 365 and other cloud suites do have some security controls, they’re not robust or reliable enough to handle every case scenario. Having access to a high-grade, third-party backup service is the best way to reduce your exposure and manage the risks associated with data loss and destruction.

Retention and recovery management

Cloud-based services are popular for many reasons, with Office 365 and other solutions featuring better integration between applications, more efficient data exchange and delivery, and the ability to utilize transparent services regardless of location.

Many of these benefits come at a cost, however, with enterprises losing control over data retention and recovery.

While Office 365 does have its own retention policies, they are ever-changing and difficult to manage. In fact, confusing and inaccessible data retention is one of the reasons why so many businesses refuse to move to the cloud.

You can have the best of both worlds with backup solutions that provide you with complete control over data retention and recovery management.

Legal and compliance obligations

In addition to running a business and ensuring access to key data and services, organizations have a responsibility to meet certain legal and compliance obligations.

A cloud backup service allows you to retrieve important data instantly and with minimal disruption to critical business systems.

Whether it’s retrieving user data for law enforcement, accessing your mailbox during a legal action, or meeting regulatory compliance standards, dedicated cloud backup makes it easier to meet your responsibilities.

Managing the migration process

With more businesses moving to the cloud all the time, the migration process is often presented as a seamless and natural transition.

While the benefits of SaaS are valid and well-known, managing hybrid email deployments and other critical services during migration can be more challenging than Microsoft would have you believe.

Whether you want a dedicated cloud solution or a mix of Office 365 and on-premises services, backup solutions like Veeam (our recommended solution) allow you to protect and manage your data during and after the transition in a way that makes the source location irrelevant.

The post 5 reasons why you need a backup service, even if you’re using Office 365 appeared first on ISG Technologies.

Source: my isg

ISG Technology Recognized for Excellence in Managed IT Services

February 19, 2019/0 Comments/in Managed Services, Press Releases /by ISG Tech

Overland Park, KS February 19, 2019 – ISG Technology announced today that CRN_®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named ISG Technology to its 2019 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Elite 150 category. This annual list recognizes North American solution providers with innovative approaches to managed services. These services help customers improve operational efficiencies, maximize return on IT investments, and continuously help them navigate the complexities of IT solutions.

Managed service providers are integral to the success of businesses everywhere. They empower companies to implement and operate complex technologies while staying within their budgets and keeping focus on their core business. CRN’s MSP 500 list identifies the most groundbreaking managed service organizations, with advanced solutions that have endless potential for growth.

This annual list is divided into three categories:

MSP Pioneer 250 – recognizing companies with business models weighted toward managed services and largely focused on the SMB market
MSP Elite 150 – recognizing large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on-premises and off-premises services
Managed Security 100 – recognizing MSPs focused primarily on off-premises, cloud-based security services.

“Capable MSPs enable companies to take their cloud computing to the next level, streamline spending, effectively allocate limited resources and navigate the vast field of available technologies,” said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. “The companies on CRN’s 2019 MSP 500 list stand out for their innovative services, excellence in adapting to customers’ changing needs and demonstrated ability to help businesses get the most out of their IT investments.”

ISG’s managed service offering is centered around a core set of services such as 24×7 network monitoring, proactive alerting, patching and updating, infrastructure maintenance and a help desk to keep users productive. Customers also have the ability to add advanced services such as cloud backup and replication, hosted voice, managed security, Office 365+ and more.

“Our goal is to help unlock new possibilities for our customers,” commented ISG Technology CEO, Ben Foster. “And the managed services offering is a critical piece to doing this. We take technology maintenance off their plate so they can focus on initiatives that help drive business growth. When you combine this with one of the best professional services and technology advisory teams in the Midwest, we are able to help our clients in so many ways.”

The MSP500 list will be featured in the February 2019 issue of CRN and online at www.CRN.com/msp500. Learn more about ISG Managed Services at www.isgtech.com/managed-services/

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

Client Testimonial: Freddy’s Frozen Custard

February 15, 2019/in Backup as a Service, Case Studies, Cloud Hosting, Continuity, Managed Services, Professional Services, Resources, Services, Storage, Videos, Virtualization /by ISG Tech

Technology partnership helps fuel the growth of Freddy’s Frozen Custard

Industry: Food & Beverage
Client: Freddy’s Frozen Custard

In Partnership with

THE CHALLENGE

Enlisted by Freddy’s, ISG was tasked with transitioning the client’s infrastructure to a more secure and flexible system. The initial findings highlighted a few opportunities:

Evaluated the health of the client’s network security to find at risk data. If a server were to fail under the original network system, data would have been lost and unrecoverable.
Discovered the company was poised for growth, but infrastructure was unable to keep up with needs and goals.
Determined the transition to the new network had to take place outside of business hours.

THE SOLUTION

Utilized leading backup solution to migrate the company’s data to the cloud
Migrated an aging small business server to a updated and upgraded exchange server
Provided an internal SQL consultation
Deployed Cisco Meraki Technology across locations

RESULTS

Freddy’s is now ready for tremendous future growth with the flexibility and security of ISG’s cloud solution with our straightforward approach to implementation and willingness to execute outside of business hours, ensuring both client satisfaction and business success.

The pros and cons of hosted voice vs. on-premises PBX

October 4, 2018/0 Comments/in Cloud Hosting, Communications, Managed Services /by ISG Tech

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VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows businesses to make phone calls with a broadband internet connection, instead of using a telephone landline. As companies grow increasingly dependent on the internet to do their business, VoIP has become more and more appealing for organizations of all sizes and industries.

According to market research and advisory firm Zion Research, the global VoIP industry is expected to surge from $83 billion in 2015 to $140 billion by 2021.

Despite the move towards hosted VoIP, many companies have chosen to remain with an on-premises PBX (private branch exchange) solution.

In this article, we’ll discuss the definitions of hosted VoIP and on-premises PBX and then go over the pros and cons so that you can make the right choice for your business.

What is hosted voice?

The term “hosted” means that the VoIP provider is responsible for hosting the services in the cloud. In other words, the telephones at your business headquarters use the internet to connect to the equipment hosted by the VoIP provider at an off-site location.

Most hosted VoIP providers use a recurring monthly or annual pricing model, which includes a predetermined number of minutes as well as a given set of features. However, some providers offer a per-minute pricing model for additional flexibility.

It’s worth noting that many hosted voice offerings are part of a “unified communications” solution that combines phone, email, fax, chat, and video capabilities. Indeed, some companies treat the terms “hosted voice” and “unified communications” almost synonymously.

What is on-premises PBX?

A private branch exchange (PBX) is a private telephone network that manages the internal and external phone calls of an enterprise.

As the name suggests, “on-premises” PBX means that your business is responsible for maintaining the necessary hardware on-site. You have ultimate ownership of, and responsibility for, the network.

Hosted voice vs. on-premises PBX: advantages and disadvantages

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each option.

Cost

Using an on-premises PBX solution is typically much more expensive when first starting out. You need to purchase your own hardware, set it up, and perform your own maintenance.

Meanwhile, hosted VoIP uses an OPEX cost model, so your monthly expenses are much more predictable (and often lower).

For example, small businesses that switch to VoIP can reduce the costs of local calls by up to 40 percent and the costs of international calls by up to 90 percent.

Flexibility

If you’re just starting out and are unsure which option is best for you, then you should likely choose a hosted VoIP solution.

Your VoIP provider shoulders all the load in terms of future work and expansion, including concerns such as maintenance and software updates. This gives you a great deal more flexibility.

Reliability

The biggest question mark in terms of hosted voice is reliability.

Because VoIP relies on an internet connection in order to function, VoIP customers will be left without phone service when their internet goes down or when they experience a power failure.

Before option for a hosted VoIP solution, be sure you have a reliable internet connection.

Final thoughts

If your company has the IT expertise required to perform the installation and you’re willing to handle all of the responsibilities, then an on-premises PBX may not be a bad choice.

For most businesses, however, the lower costs, lessened maintenance obligations, and increased flexibility of a hosted VoIP solution are enough for them to make the switch.

Need some expert advice about whether hosted voice or on-premises PBX is right for your organization? The right managed services provider can help make the decision a lot easier. Contact your MSP for some good advice on the solution that best fits your situation.

If you’d like to keep reading, check out these additional options for cloud communication infrastructure.

Webinar: Going Beyond Backup To Ensure Zero Downtime

September 25, 2018/0 Comments/in Backup as a Service, Compute, Continuity, Disaster Recovery as a Service, Industries, Managed Services, Resources, Services, Storage, Videos, Virtualization, webinars /by ISG Tech

The school year is underway, and Backup School with ISG is back! Join ISG and Veeam as we educate our clients and their organizations about how they can keep their business up and running and eliminate downtime – even when the unexpected happens.

Is downtime simply an unacceptable thing in your mind? Then this webinar is for you. Go beyond backup to better understand business continuity.

Data Madness: Physical and digital, ensuring that critical data stays safe

March 26, 2018/0 Comments/in Backup as a Service, Blog, Infrastructure, Managed Services, Professional Services, Resources, Security, Services, Storage /by ISG Technology

With March winding down, it is important to remember the significance of confidential corporate information. Data has been called the new oil, however, as Business Insider pointed out, this is not a great comparison. Unlike oil, more data does not intrinsically mean greater value. The nature of this information greatly matters.

So really, data is more like sediment. Some bits are just pebbles – numerous beyond count and basically interchangeable. However, certain information – like say personal identification information and dedicated analytical data – is immensely valuable. These are the gemstones, the gold, and this data must be protected.

To avoid data madness, or the immense financial and irreparable damage done by lost confidential information, follow these tips to safeguard valuable data:

"Around 23 percent of IT thefts occur in office."

Securing physical data
While many organizations worry about theft from cars, airports or other public places – not enough information is paid to a real danger: the office. According to a Kensington report, 23 percent of IT thefts occur in office. This is nearly 10 percent higher than hotels and airports.

The same report found that over a third of IT personal have no physical protection in place to prevent hardware from being stolen. Only 20 percent used locks to protect hard drives.

While organizations worry about small devices like wearables and smartphones, basic security cannot be overlooked. Companies must take steps to ensure that only employees or approved guests have access to the premises. Even then, not every worker needs universal access. Server rooms and hardware storage should be kept behind additional locks.

IT teams should also be required to keep a thorough inventory of all network-enabled data devices. This will alert the organization quickly should a theft occur. While cybersecurity grabs headlines – the importance of a good, strong physical lock cannot be overstated.

Malicious third parties are not above using simple and primitive tactics.

Protecting digital data
While physical protection is essential, cybersecurity is rising in importance. Gemalto data states that, since 2013, more than 9 billion digital records have been stolen, misplaced or simply erased without authorization. More troubling is the recent increases in data loss. Gemalto also recorded a steady rise data breach occurrence and a dramatic uptick in misplaced or stolen information.

Cybercriminals adapt quickly and their tools are constantly evolving. Deloitte released a report chronicling the increasing tenacity and sophistication of ransomware, a disturbing cyberattack that strips away essential data access from organizations and charges them to get it back. Infamous attacks like WannaCry made headlines last year and unfortunately these incidents are expected to become more common.

When enhancing cybersecurity, take a company-wide approach. Every employee with network access needs to be educated on basic risks. Network administrators should also structure internet connectivity to run on the principle of least privilege. As with the physical server room, not every employee needs access to every file. Permissions should be given sparingly.

Lastly, businesses need a concrete plan if and when a data breach do occur so that they may respond efficiently and swiftly to contain the attack.

Finding the point of breach quickly can reduce the damage done by cybercriminals.

The Cloud Advantage
One of the reasons that cloud services are so popular is that they alleviate certain cybersecurity concerns. Many businesses, especially smaller organizations, have budget restrictions, whereas a cloud services provider like Microsoft annually invests $1 billion in cybersecurity, according to Reuters.

Handing off information security concerns to a trusted organization with more resources is a way to help safeguard your data, backing it up so that it will never be lost or stolen by a malicious third party.

Data Madness: The importance of deleting/removing critical data from old devices

March 22, 2018/0 Comments/in Blog, Compute, Managed Services, Professional Services, Resources, Security, Services, Storage /by ISG Technology

You arrive at work and get an immediate call to see the CEO. Upon entering the office, you notice that the CIO and other executives are in the room, as well as several people in suits you don't recognize. Everyone is looking stressed, brows furrowed and heads bent.

Those new people in suits are lawyers planning the company's defense to the major data breach that was just detected. The malicious activity occurred last month and the hacker supposedly used your information.

After frantic moments of head scratching, you remember: You sold your smartphone last month. While it was a personal device, you used it to check office email and it had stored access to the company network password.

While data madness often happens when vital data goes missing, it can also occur when data isn't properly disposed of. Too often, organizations fail to stress the importance of information security at every phase of the hardware's life cycle. Before a machine can be decommissioned, data must first be thoroughly purged and, in some cases, destroyed.

A broken phone can still house perfectly working data.

Sanitizing data vs. deleting data
In some companies, the temptation is to delete data by moving it to the recycling bin and pressing "empty." However, this is not enough. According to Secure Data Recovery, data emptied from the recycling bin is not permanently deleted – at least not right away. The computer simply deletes the pathing and labels the information as "free space," meaning that it can be overwritten by new data.

For all intents and purposes, data deleted from the recycling bin is gone, at least as far as the layperson is concerned. Those with computer programming and specialized skills or software, however, can recover the information and restore it. If you've ever done a search for "data recovery" – you will see that these skills are not in short supply.

Yet companies make this mistake all the time. A survey conducted by Blancco found that almost half of all hard drives carried at least some residual data. The same was true for over a third of smartphones. Files such as emails, photos and sensitive company documents were recovered from these devices. To securely delete files requires a more thorough process.

The University of California, Riverside defines data sanitization as "the process of deliberately, permanently, and irreversibly removing or destroying the data stored on a memory device." Sanitized data drives typically carry no residual data, even with the aid of recovery tools. However, this solution often times requires additional software that will erase and rewrite information multiple times.

Companies have a wide variety of options to choose from when it comes to securing data sanitization software. Microsoft even provides an in-house solution in the form of its tool, data eraser – which has been optimized for PCs and tablets. It's important to remember that different types of data drives will only be compatible with certain software.

Given the sensitive nature of the material in question, companies should only choose data sanitization software from trust organizations.

Recycling bins - like their physical counterparts - are not known for permanently disposing of trash.

When physical destruction may be needed
However, for some kinds of data, sanitization may not be enough. This can be regulated by internal business policy (such as placing employee payroll information as the most sensitive data) or by government laws like HIPAA – which mandate time-effective data destruction.

In this case, the storage device matters more. Hard disk drives, commonly found in computers and servers, are the easiest to destroy as they operate on magnetic fields. A hard drive degausser can permanently alter these fields, leaving the device completely unreadable.

Solid state drives and flash media are more difficult. Their data storage is circuit-based, rendering a degausser ineffective. These drives should be shredded or destroyed by quality equipment expressly designed for the task. Hard drive data can be recovered after improper destruction, even in extreme cases. ComputerWorld reported that data was restored from the wreckage of the Columbia space shuttle tragedy, illustrating the hardiness of certain drives and the effectiveness of professional data recovery tools.

Safely disposing of data is no easy task and innovations like the internet of things have made it more difficult. Cybercriminals may be developing more sophisticated ransomware but they are also still routinely diving in dumpsters and scoping out secondhand stores for improperly deleted data. Make sure your company is taking the necessary steps to avoid data madness.

Data Madness: Exploring the reliability of in-house data vs. cloud servers

March 20, 2018/0 Comments/in Backup as a Service, Blog, Cloud Hosting, Compute, Infrastructure, Managed Services, Professional Services, Resources, Services, Storage /by ISG Technology

Much is made today about choosing the right kind of data storage. When you’re running a team, the last thing you want is for some crucial information to go missing. Such a setback can be disastrous, especially if the data lost was from a survey or customer response. In addition, you have the added anxiety of only hoping the data was lost, not stolen.

As data madness continues, we’re exploring the most secure methods to backup essential data. In today’s article, we’re putting the two most popular solutions under a microscope: in-house servers and cloud data storage. For many companies, success literally hinges on data security. Know the best method and keep your organization running.

How to keep in-house servers running effectively
The longer a server is in operation, the more likely it is to break down. A Statista report found that only 5 percent of servers broke after the first year. By the fourth year, that number had more than doubled. By year seven, nearly 20 percent of servers failed. While the likelihood of a break is still relatively low after seven years, organizations are clearly taking a huge risk. Executives at this hypothetical company might as well tell their employees that there is only an 80 percent chance for productivity each day.

Servers should be continually replaced and upgraded to be effective at securely housing data. However, age is not the only factor that can cause a server to malfunction. RocketIT stressed the need to continuously upgrade server software to keep it protected and compatible with modern systems.

Since servers are gold mines of confidential data, they are the prime targets for any malicious hacker. Keeping servers up to date not only keeps them running smoothly, it also reduces the risk of viruses and malware being able to infiltrate the hardware.

Lastly, if your business opts for servers then it needs a dedicated, maintained space in which to house them. According to Serverscheck, the ideal server room temperature is between 64-80 degrees Fahrenheit with no more than 60 percent humidity. Servers work best with constant conditions so any change could impact device functionality. In addition, if there is a flood or water leakage in the room, then the organization is at serious risk of data loss.

Servers need dedicated, environmentally-controlled space in order to function at peak levels.

Choosing the right professional cloud services provider
If your company instead opts for a cloud service provider, it must choose the right provider. There are currently numerous options in the field, with Amazon and Microsoft standing out as the dominant players.

Many cloud service providers use physical servers themselves. Essentially, they handle all the maintenance, storage and cybersecurity responsibilities and charge clients for the operations. While some servers, like Cisco in a recent fiasco, have lost client data, the problem has so far been a rare occurrence, according to The Register.

However, there is another side to cloud data. It can keep existing even when the order is given for deletion, as some celebrities learned in an unfortunate way, according to Wired. If an organization is going to store data through a cloud provider, they should be very careful if and when additional backups are made. Data that survives its intended expiration can be dangerous, especially if the parent company has no idea it exists.

And the most secure data storage method is…
Oxford Dictionaries chronicled the phrase “you can’t have your cake and eat it too” as a way of summarizing that you need to choose only one option. With data storage – you can eat as much of your cake as you want, while still having an infinite supply left over. For companies serious about safeguarding data, the best option is simply both.

Backing up data to multiple sources is one of the best ways to ensure that it is never accidently deleted. Just be sure that every copy is secure, to keep classified information out of malicious hands.

Storing data in multiple sites ensures that it lasts longer.

eBook: Driving IT Innovation Through Modernization

February 23, 2018/0 Comments/in Blog, eBooks, Managed Services, Modern Office, Resources /by ISG Technology

eBook: Your Guidebook To Understanding MSPs

May 18, 2017/0 Comments/in eBooks, Managed Services /by ISG Technology

Protection against internal accidents and threats

Protection against external security threats

Retention and recovery management

Legal and compliance obligations

Managing the migration process