What It Means for Your Business That Windows Server 2012 Is Going Away

As the owner of a small or medium-sized business, you probably have a lot on your plate. One of these is making sure your IT infrastructure is always safe and up to date. You may have heard that support for Windows Server 2012 will end in October 2023. You may be thinking what this means for your business. This blog post will help you understand what will happen and what steps you need to take. The most important hint? Don't put off making plans for your move until the last minute. 

Understanding the End of Life for Windows Server 2012

In the tech world, "end of life" means that a piece of software will no longer get changes or help from the company that made it. This means that Microsoft will no longer offer updates for Windows Server 2012 after October 2023. This includes security updates, updates that aren't related to security, free or paid choices for assisted support, and updates to online technical content. 

This has big consequences for businesses that still use this service. Without these changes, your system is open to security risks, which could lead to a breach of your data. You may also have trouble with compliance, since many laws require businesses to use software that is approved.

The Risks of Ignoring the End of Life

You can't just ignore the fact that Windows Server 2012 is coming to an end. If you don't update your computer regularly, hackers who take advantage of known flaws will be more likely to target it. A single breach could cause you to lose a lot of money, hurt your image, and lose the trust of your customers.

Also, as new programs and software are made, they might not work with Windows Server 2012. This could cause problems with efficiency and make it harder for you to use new technologies that could help your business.

Preparing for the Transition

It may seem hard to switch from Windows Server 2012 to a newer server, but if you plan, it can go smoothly. Start by looking at your present IT infrastructure and making a list of any possible problems. Next, do some study to find a new server that meets the needs of your business and fits your budget. Lastly, make a detailed plan for moving, including a timeline and the tools you'll need.

Remember that it's best to start this process as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute could cause you to make hasty choices, waste time, and possibly lose data.

The end of support for Windows Server 2012 is a big deal that you should pay attention to. But it's also a chance to improve your IT infrastructure, make your system more secure, and use new technologies. It’s also an opportunity to migrate to the cloud, eliminating servers from your local network entirely.

Don't go through this change on your own. Our team of IT experts is here to help you through the process, making sure that the move goes smoothly and causes your business as little trouble as possible. Contact us right away to start planning your move and make sure your business has a bright future.

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.

When you work from home, what do you do for backups?

If you've ever had a malware attack, then you may know how important backups can be. 

Since most office workers now work from home, your business's IT system might be missing an important piece of the IT security stack.

 

In this piece, we'll talk about a quick fix you can use to make sure your files are backed up, as well as a longer-term solution.

 

Many small businesses have a backup plan that depends on the fact that most office workers are at work. This could be a cloud backup that automates file replication, so that if something goes wrong in the office, your data will still be safe.

 

But many of these methods only work if you are saving documents to a server at the office where the backup is done. When you work from home, the first thing you should ask your present IT provider is if your desktop, documents, and files that you save locally on your laptop or computer are backed up.

 

If some or all of your files aren't being backed up, you can quickly fix the problem by using Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox Business, or Google Drive.

 

When using these methods, when you save your works to a local folder, they will be backed up to the cloud automatically.

 

When you sign up for one of these services you also can also view your files from any device with the right app. Most of these services also include a version history. If you make a mistake or want to look back at changes, you can use the version history to keep track of these changes.

 

If you work for an organization, be sure that you use the company business plan instead of a personal plan. This allows your work to be easily shared within your team and allows for central consolidation of company data. Services such as Dropbox allow you to have both a personal account and work account on the same computer and allow you to keep them separated.

 

But you should know that this is not a real backup plan. You must save the files in the right place on your machine. Also, not all data is saved in the cloud, so if your computer fails because of a hardware or security breach, then you could still be in a rough place. Your IT company should be able to help you with this.

 

Get in touch with us today if you have questions about how safe your company info is when you work from home.

Cyberattacks and data breaches in Europe: A wake-up call for small and medium-sized businesses everywhere

There were a lot of high-profile attacks in 2023 so far, which shows that businesses of all kinds need to be proactive about security. An estimat3ed 41.9 million records in Europe were compromised. This included a bold attempt to hold Ferrari for ransom, an attack on a Central European broadcaster that was motivated by politics, and a cyber incident that disrupted up a big pharmaceutical supply chain in Spain.

Ferrari does not give in to cyber pressure.

A computer attack happened recently against Ferrari, which makes high-end cars. Several IT systems were hacked, and the names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers of customers were made public.

Even though it's not clear how many people were affected, Ferrari's CEO, Benedetto Vigna, tried to calm the situation by saying that no private financial information or information about who owned the cars was involved. Strangely, the attackers asked for a ransom, but there's no proof that ransomware was used to encrypt Ferrari's systems.

In a statement, Ferrari said, "We will not give in to such demands because we do not want to help criminals." Ferrari did the right thing by letting its customers know about the possible data leak.

The way Ferrari handled this cyber event should be a model for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs): they didn't give in to cyber threats and took steps to let customers know as soon as possible. It also shows how important it is to work with a reputable IT service company that focuses on security if you want to keep your systems strong.

Russian hackers are going after Skylink.

A Russian hacker group used a DDoS attack against the Central European TV station Skylink. This caused problems with the website and online broadcasts, so customers couldn't use its digital services.

A DDoS attack sends too many data packets to a computer, causing it to crash. Usually, this isn't about stealing data, but rather about causing trouble, which is often done for political reasons. Given that Russia's ties with the Czech Republic and Slovakia are tense, this attack could probably be seen as a cybercrime with a political goal.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) should see this as a clear sign that cyber risks can be caused by more than just money. This shows how important it is to protect all digital assets with thorough security steps.

Alliance Healthcare is having trouble with its supply chain.

A cyberattack on Alliance Healthcare, a major pharmaceutical supply company, caused a lot of trouble for pharmacies all over Spain. This event showed that supply chain attacks on key sectors are becoming more likely.

The attack went on for more than two weeks and had a big impact on Alliance Healthcare's supply systems, slowing down or even stopping some areas. The cyber event did not have a big effect on patients, and personal information was not at risk. But the attack was a big problem for Alliance Healthcare because it hurt their image and cost them a lot of money.

This event shows how important strong cybersecurity steps are in the supply chain, especially for SMBs. Having your business work with an IT service company that puts security first can help protect it from these kinds of cyber threats.

Cyber dangers are getting bigger and smarter. It shows that companies need to invest in strong security infrastructure. Partnering with an IT service company that puts security first is one of the most important things you can do to protect your business from these kinds of threats.

Contact Nextworks today for a free cybersecurity assessment.

Navigating Budget Constraints and High Inflation

WHY IT TEAMS ARE TEAMING UP WITH IT SERVICE PROVIDERS

Ask any IT manager, and they'll likely tell you that resources are being stretched more than ever in this time of tight budgets and rising prices.

IT teams are working hard to keep up with the demands of maintaining current IT infrastructure, putting in place necessary digital safety measures, and supporting a hybrid work model that is getting more complicated.

Smart IT managers are now thinking about forming partnerships with IT service companies (MSPs) in their own area. Outsourcing some of their IT tasks is becoming a strategic necessity for companies that want to cut costs and keep the quality of their services up.

Let's talk about the benefits we've seen since we started working with IT teams inside the company:

Wide Range of Knowledge

Many IT workers who work inside a company are pros in the IT systems used by that company. Their skills have been sharpened by their past experiences, making it easy for them to use current systems.

But having a known IT service provider as a backup is invaluable when they run into a problem that won't go away or a new system that they don't know much about.

Because our clients are so different, IT service providers like us work with a wide range of IT tools and technologies. This gives us a wide range of skills that can be very helpful for your own IT team.

Support Hours Get Longer

Giving technical help can sometimes take longer than a normal workday. System migrations, upgrades, and unplanned IT problems often require work on the weekend or late at night. This makes IT teams feel like they're always on the clock.

An important benefit of working with an MSP is that they can provide help around the clock, making sure that your IT systems are always running smoothly.

Security Check From the Outside

Co-managed IT services give you an outside view, which can be exciting and give you new ideas.

A partner who can look at your network from the outside can help you find possible security holes and ways to improve your processes.

A co-managed approach lets you stay in charge of key parts of your IT management while your trusted partner adds an extra layer of security. This two-layer defence makes it harder for unauthorised people to get in, making data breaches less likely in general.

As you deal with tight budgets and high inflation, you may wonder:

How much does a co-managed option cost?

Would it be cheaper to just hire more workers?

Can co-managed IT services give our company strategic benefits that are worth more than the costs and help it grow in the future?

Let's explore these questions together.