Trends to Look Out for in IT Services in 2023

As we move further into 2023, managed IT services are still changing at a very fast rate. Technological changes are changing the world and giving companies a mix of opportunities and challenges. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key part of these changes. It opens the door to greater efficiency while also making safety more dangerous.

To make the most of these changes, it’s important to know what’s coming next in the world of managed IT services. Here are a few important trends that people in charge of making decisions should keep an eye on:

Cybersecurity Risks Caused by AI

AI is becoming more and more like a double-edged sword. AI can be used for many good things, but it can also be used by bad people to start sophisticated cyberattacks. Cyber threats that use AI are getting worse, and they pose a big risk to companies. Now, attackers can automate their strikes, and they are getting better at acting like humans and getting around security measures. This trend shows how important it is for companies that use digital tools and services a lot to have advanced cybersecurity strategies.

Automation and Productivity

On the other hand, AI opens a lot of doors for businesses, especially in automation. AI is already being used by businesses to automate boring and repetitive chores. This gives their employees more time to work on strategic, high-level tasks that require human intelligence.

Through methods for machine learning, AI can do things like keep an eye on networks, analyze data, and even help with customer service. This cuts down on mistakes made by hand and makes operations run more smoothly. When AI is used in the right way, it can increase output by a lot, cut costs, and help a business grow.

Managed IT services saves the day.

When AI is used in business, it can be hard to figure out how to balance the possibilities and risks it brings. Managed IT service companies come into play at this point. These experts are trained to understand AI’s complicated world and can help businesses find their way through it. They find the best way to use AI for efficiency while making sure that strong cybersecurity means are in place to stop AI-powered attacks.

Proactive solutions are getting more and more attention from managed IT service companies. This includes using predictive analytics to find possible cyber threats and automating reactions to reduce the risks. They also give advice on the best ways to use AI to handle business processes while keeping the highest levels of data security.

In the end, the picture of managed IT services in 2023 is both complicated and exciting. AI’s growth brings with it a unique set of possibilities and problems. But with the right IT partner, businesses can safely adopt AI, taking advantage of its potential to improve efficiency while making sure they are fully protected from the growing number of cyber threats that are made possible by AI. The future of managed IT services comes in using AI’s power to its fullest and minimizing its risks.

So, as a decision-maker, keep these trends in mind and work with a proactive managed IT services provider (like us) to move your business towards a more safe, efficient, and AI-powered future.

Contact Nextworks Today for a Free Cybersecurity Assessment.

Password Managers for Business and Individuals

In today's digital age we rely heavily on online accounts and sensitive information. The need for strong, unique passwords has become increasingly important. However, remembering multiple complex passwords can be challenging and prone to human error. This is where password managers come into play, providing a secure and convenient solution for both businesses and individuals.

For Business:

Password managers offer numerous benefits for organizations of all sizes. Here are some key advantages for businesses:

• Enhanced Security: Password managers ensure robust security by generating and storing strong, unique passwords for each account. This eliminates the risk of weak or reused passwords that are susceptible to hacking.

• Centralized Management: Businesses can centrally manage and control passwords across their teams. Administrators can grant and revoke access, enforce password policies, and monitor password usage, bolstering overall security and reducing the burden on IT departments.

• Improved Productivity: With password managers, employees no longer need to waste time memorizing or resetting passwords. They can easily access their accounts with a single master password or other authentication methods, streamlining workflow and productivity.

•  Secure Sharing: Password managers enable secure password sharing within teams or departments without revealing the actual passwords. This allows collaboration while maintaining data confidentiality.

• Auditing and Compliance: Many password managers provide auditing and reporting features that help businesses comply with industry regulations and internal security policies. Detailed logs and reports can be generated to track password usage and identify potential security breaches.

Here are three companies offering password managers with cost around $3-$6/mo. per user:

Lastpass.com

Dashlane.com

1Password.com

For Individuals:

Password managers are equally beneficial for individual users. Here are some advantages for personal use:

• Simplified Password Management: With a password manager, individuals can securely store all their passwords in one place. This eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords or resort to writing them down, which can be risky.

• Enhanced Security: Password managers generate strong, unique passwords and often offer additional security features like two-factor authentication (2FA) or biometric authentication. This ensures that individual accounts remain protected from unauthorized access.

• Convenient Access: Individuals can access their passwords from various devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets. This convenience allows seamless login across platforms and devices.

• Timesaving: Password managers save time by automatically filling in login credentials for websites and apps, eliminating the hassle of typing passwords manually.

• Password Strength Analysis: Many password managers provide tools that analyze the strength of existing passwords and offer suggestions for improving them. This helps individuals maintain strong, secure passwords across all their accounts.

The three companies mentioned above are also offering some free individual plans. For individual use Nextworks recommends the free open-source platform, https://keepass.info.

 Contact Nextworks Today for a Free Cybersecurity Assessment.

Why Every Small Business Needs a Disaster Recovery Plan

In the tech-driven world of today, the question isn't if your business will have a data disaster, but when. From security breaches like ransomware attacks to problems with cloud storage services like Microsoft 365, there are many ways that your business data could be at risk. Small businesses are especially at risk because they often don't have strong protection systems. 

A well-thought-out disaster recovery plan often can save your business in the event of an unexpected crisis. Here are some reasons why every small business needs to spend time making a solid disaster recovery plan.

Ransomware is becoming a bigger problem.

Ransomware attacks are on the rise, and small companies are becoming more and more likely to be the main targets. Cybercriminals often think of them as easy targets because their security systems are usually not as advanced. Ransomware keeps you from accessing your own systems and data, which stops business operations until a fee is paid.

With a well-thought-out disaster recovery plan, your business will be ready to face these risks. It makes sure that your data is backed up safely and can be quickly recovered, so you don't have to pay a ransom and downtime is kept to a minimum.

The possibility that cloud storage services will fail...

Cloud storage like Microsoft 365 has become an important part of how small businesses work. Even though these services are reliable, they can still have problems. There are times when services go down or data gets corrupted. 

If you have a disaster recovery plan, you don't have to put all of your trust in your cloud service provider to keep your data safe. It makes sure you have backups in other places, so you can get your files back quickly even if your main cloud storage fails.

Test backups regularly.

Creating a plan to deal with a disaster is only half the work; the real test is how well it works. Sometimes, backup solutions will say that the data was backed up successfully, but the process of restoring the data may fail because of things like data corruption. Regular testing can help you find these kinds of problems and fix them before they cause a real disaster. 

Continuity of Business

Data disasters can stop your business from running, costing you money. A disaster recovery plan helps keep your business going by making it easy to get your most important data and programs back online quickly. This skill can make the difference between a short problem and one that stops your business from functioning for weeks if not months.

Small businesses need to have a disaster recovery plan. It's not a choice. Digital threats to businesses come in many forms and are always changing, so companies need to be ready. Invest in a full disaster recovery plan, test your backups regularly, and make sure your business can quickly rebound from any data disaster. Speak to us today for assistance in this area.

Contact Nextworks Today for a Free Cybersecurity Assessment.