“IAM” Security

Irvine IT support firms have increasingly begun recommending Identity Access Management, or IAM, to a diversity of businesses. Advantages can be experienced among operations that are large, and those that are burgeoning.

Key IAM Advantages

Managed IT services providers in Orange County can provide solutions which clearly outshine internally managed access management. While different businesses will experience different advantages, a few key ones you might consider include:

Easy Access, Productivity, User Experience

Irvine IT support firms recommend IAM through cloud options for accessibility. Client access management and personnel access management options exist, allowing work to be done on your network from wherever a secure connection can be established.

This infrastructure allows options like BYOD, which are known to increase employee productivity. Additionally, through positive user experience, clients are more pleased with the interaction they have with your company.

Regulatory Compliance Facilitation, Cost Reduction

New regulations develop continuously, and that will likely never change. Maintaining compliance can be complicated internally. When you trust IAM options to a provider, that provider has a legal liability and a competitive onus to maintain regulatory compliance.

Additionally, their core business prerogative revolves around such services, meaning they can do more for you at less cost than you would be able to through your own internal efforts.

Enablement of More Convenient Customer and Personnel Access

Managed IT services providers in Orange County facilitate more convenient access for clients and personnel. This has greater security via IAM protocols than internal efforts are usually able to achieve; unless of course they have exceptional means.

Exploring Cloud IAM

Irvine IT support firms like Advanced Networks can help facilitate convenient, secure access for clientele and personnel through IAM protocols. Additional key benefits include regulatory compliance, reduced expense, greater ease of access, productivity expansion, and overall positive user experience. For more information on IAM, and how it could benefit your company, contact us.

How to Effectively Transform Your Digital Infrastructure with Irvine IT Support

Irvine IT support often represents an instrumental component of your tech transformation process. Certainly, shifts can be approached internally with no consultation whatever, but you’ll save a lot of time and effort through IT professionals who have been down this road before with other, similar clients.

IT consultants in Irvine often advise a few common upgrade tactics to help you avoid wasting time. Certainly, every business will have slightly different needs, but generally, adhering to the following tactics will help you more efficiently and effectively get the job done:

Make Plans That Are Attainable

Irvine IT support firm advise you to plan out tech transition such that it matches the actual needs and abilities of your business. Making a full-bore switch to the cloud could be advisable, but it’s not likely you’ll get the job done in a few hours no matter how organized you are. A few days, weeks, or months may be necessary. How big your organization is, and how in-depth transitions are, will be key factors in appropriately planning any shift. Consultation is additionally fundamental here.

Take Proper Inventory and Allocate an Effective Team to The Shift

What sort of inventory is being shifted, augmented, upgraded, or phased out? What sort of personnel would be most appropriate for the task? Answer these questions before you dive into any changes. You want a good team on the job who knows what they’re trying to get done.

When You Have Success, Commemorate It— Also, Be Flexible with Deadlines

IT consultants in Irvine advise you to celebrate successful transitions, and design deadlines with a hefty margin for error. Expect delays, and you’ll avoid them. Be flexible so that should you experience them anyway, it doesn’t undermine operations. Celebrate success to keep staff morale up during a transition process that can be grueling.

Speedily and Efficiently Transitioning Tech Infrastructure

Irvine IT support through Advanced Networks can help advise on the most efficient and effective ways to transition tech infrastructure into new territory. Such groups advise you commemorate your successes, have flexible deadlines, take inventory, put the right people on the right job, and make attainable plans beforehand. Contact us for more information on technology transition and associated best practices.

Why Your Business Needs New Passwords and Irvine IT Support

One of the reasons why more and more businesses are outsourcing to Irvine IT support firms is because they are tired of fighting cybercrime on their own. Even though they may instruct employees to use stronger passwords, the message doesn’t get through as cyberattacks continue to mount. Here are the reasons why an IT consultant or a managed service provider (MSP), can make your life easier.

Consequences of Simple Passwords

Some companies are learning the hard way why you’re supposed to make passwords complex. Perhaps it’s easy to forget how easy it is for hackers to penetrate websites, not because they’re smart, but because they use inexpensive hacking software.

This software can test thousands of password combinations per day until eventually if cracks the account, sometimes after just a week. The days of 4-character passwords are over, so it’s best to make passwords as unique as possible. Security becomes even stronger when you require extra steps for logins.

Suggestions for Protecting Accounts

• Use complex passwords with at least 8 characters
• Include upper with lower case letters mixed with numbers and special characters
• Don’t give passwords to anyone, especially through email
• Use a password manager app
• Consider multi-factor authentication

Turning to IT Experts

Any business— big or small— can be breached by cybercriminals. But if you make their job as difficult as possible, rather than as easy as possible, you’ll be in a much safer position. Working with an experienced Irvine IT support team is the key to maximizing cybersecurity and reducing the odds of downtime.

A reputable IT firm will not only take proactive steps to block hackers— they will also be always on your team for technical advice, such as recommendations for new software. Consider managed IT services in Orange County for mentoring your employees about cybersecurity as well.

Conclusion

Each year more confidential information gets breached than the previous one. Signing up for Irvine IT support will help reduce this problem while improving your business. Consult our IT experts at Advanced Networks today to learn more about improving cybersecurity.

Irvine IT Support: How to Implement a Smooth Switchover to Office 365

Many businesses are moving to cloud systems, such as office 365. When you are used to doing things in one way and have been making use of an on-premise method, the transition can seem overwhelming. To manage the migration, it can be helpful to have a checklist and some professional assistance from an experienced Irvine IT support company. This article covers what you need on your list and other essential tips for a smooth implementation.

Know Your Migration Objectives

Making the move to the cloud is an important business decision that affects all your operations and functions. There are numerous advantages of the cloud, but before you decide to use Office 365 instead of your current platform, you should be clear on the desired benefits to your business. Better backup management, ease of collaboration, remote work opportunities, and increased data security are just some of the ones that may be important in your company.

Your chosen Office 365 suite should be the one that best matches the needs of your organization, individuals, and teams. You may decide to migrate everything to Office 365 or go for a hybrid arrangement; either way, it is a lengthy process.

Your Office 365 Implementation Checklist

Before you start migrating your systems to Office 365, your company needs to carry out extensive planning. Doing this takes time and requires several decisions about how you want to use the new platform. Good planning prevents oversights and poor implementation, which could lead to disruptions in your business operations as well as data loss.

Planning should include a comprehensive workflow for the deployment of the migration from start to finish. There should also be an implementation checklist so that you do not overlook any of the steps. The planning requires breaking up the entire migration process into small manageable steps. Irvine IT support companies can assist with every step.

The best place to start with the planning is by determining the main objectives, milestones, and timelines for the Office 365 implementation. For each workstream, there should be a timeframe for getting the work done. Having measurable and timebound objectives helps to keep the entire project and project team on track.

Important considerations when planning the migration include looking at your current and future IT infrastructure, including servers and components, network architecture, hardware, and software. You also need a strategy for mailbox migration and any other business content that needs to move. Don’t forget to look at bandwidth and mailbox size as well.

There is a lot that goes into moving to Office 365. At Advanced Networks, we can make sure your move is seamless. Contact us now to get started with our Irvine IT support services.

Key Ways Partnering with an Irvine IT Support Provider Can Prove Beneficial to Your Business

Having Irvine IT support has the potential to do much for your business in terms of optimization. A managed service provider (MSP) can essentially tackle key elements of operational infrastructure, delivering better solutions than most internal tech teams can.

How MSPs Benefit Your Business

Managed IT services companies in Orange County deal with diverse clients often operating in a competitive market where the “goalposts” of technology are always shifting. What was top-of-the-line 10 years ago is an anachronism today.

Accordingly, management staff well-trained in ten-year-old hardware aren’t too useful after that hardware doesn’t work anymore. Meanwhile, MSPs must necessarily maintain market prescience. With that in mind, consider these MSP advantages:

The Latest Technology and Security Solutions

An Irvine IT support provider has to compete with other tech providers offering their services. Accordingly, through a tech provider, you’ll usually have access to the latest viable tech solutions. These help you manage infrastructure more quickly, be more productive, keep pace with competitors, and facilitate reliable security.

High Potential for Decreased IT Overhead

IT support companies offer solutions which have a distinct capacity to reduce operational expenses. An on-site IT tech will cost tens of thousands annually. Good luck finding qualitative IT personnel for under $50k a year. Meanwhile, a suite of the latest cutting-edge tech through an MSP will usually cost you less than one IT person annually.

Expanded Competitive Viability

When you cut costs, increase security, and incorporate the latest tech, that makes your business more competitive. Additionally, external IT support has a greater tech budget than your internal options can, because IT isn’t likely to be your core operational prerogative, while it is the core focus of an MSP.

Maximizing Your Business Through MSP Services

An Irvine IT support provider like Advanced Networks can provide key insight into expanded competitive viability, decreased overhead, security expansion, and the latest tech solutions. Contact us now for more information.

Financial Institutions in Irvine Need IT Support Against the Metamorfo Banking Trojan

Irvine banking businesses seeking IT support should go a step further to ensure that their systems are fortified from malware. Cybercriminals are continuously launching new malware that targets companies and other institutions. In April 2018, cyber researchers identified new variants of the Metamorfo malware, that were used to launch multiple campaigns. These attacks were made in almost similar fashion but with small “morphing” differences that gave the malware its name. Metamorfo is a windows malware family that targets the customer base of online financial firms. The variants also target online banking users in countries like Brazil, the US, Ecuador, Canada, and Mexico.

Infection

Irvine IT support experts can help you set up the necessary virtual infrastructure to protect your systems, but this may not be enough if your employees do not practice prevention measures. This malware uses phishing emails as its infection strategy. Users are baited into clicking an URL that directs them to a cloud storage website. They will be subsequently prompted to download a ZIP file, which, once extracted, will be activated on the computer. The file uses a ‘legitimate’ Windows executable to trick users into executing the file.

Cybercriminals use content that the user might expect. Users can, for example, receive a notification that they have received an invoice.

The trojan will run a security bypass module once it infects a computer. It will shut down any running processes of security engines and applications that can interrupt its actions. The victim will continue to browse unknowingly since they will be no security alarms raised.

A Very Resilient Trojan

Once activated, the trojan terminates all running browsers, including Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. It also modifies several registry keys to prevent new browser windows from utilizing auto-suggest and auto-complete in data entry fields. The users will be prompted to retype their passwords and other credentials.

The malware embarks on data harvesting, where it determines the user’s identity by collecting personal information like telephone number and name. The harvested data is then used to optimize the attack campaigns.

Metamorfo includes a function that monitors various keywords linked to targeted financial institutions. The criminals can, therefore, be notified in real-time when a user is trying to access online banking services. The malware will also automatically hijack the victim’s credentials when it detects a compatible application.

Can the Metamorfo Malware Be Removed?

The Metamorfo malware is especially malicious since the criminals behind it have made it difficult to remove. It can be updated to make use of stealth protection, where it is protected from anti-virus programs and other monitoring systems.

The malware uses codes that are compatible with popular browsers like Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. In addition to account credentials, the malware will record bookmarks, history, and cookies.

The trojan will then be configured as a persistent virus, which means that it will automatically set up every time the machine boots. Removing the Metamorfo will be complicated if it discourages users from listing it in the boot recovery menu.

To remove the malware, you will need to isolate and delete it. An IT support provider in Irvine can do automatic removal through an anti-malware scan and specific software if manual removal is compromised.

Are Your Systems Safe from Metamorfo?

Cybercriminals have gotten smarter and their highly-personalized campaigns continue to compromise people’s online data. At Advance Networks, the first thing our Irvine IT support firm recommend is regular training for employees as part of dedicated IT support. The Metamorfo trojan baits users via emails, and your staff are, therefore, the first line of defense from malware attacks. You can contact us for more comprehensive actions against cybercriminals.

Overcome Common Business IT Issues with Irvine IT Support

Irvine IT support firms regularly provide solutions for diverse clients. In today’s modern, fast-paced world, there are quite a few issues that predominate and can be expensive if they’re not properly managed. From mobile management to cloud computing integration, there is true complication in modernity.

IT consultants in Irvine can help you overcome issues that plague your business. Some will be unique— all the more reason to have dedicated professionals available to you when the need arises. A few issues you’ll contend with, and which MSPs help overcome, include:

Email Management Woes

Irvine IT support firms commonly encounter clients who have set up their own email system and don’t know how to manage it. Email servers left unmanaged continuously accrue emails until acquiring server access on a new computer can initiate very long, cumbersome loading times. Also, there are email security issues that are common and resolved through education, management, or both via the right MSP.

Scenarios Where Work is Duplicated

Redundant work happens due to system crashes, inter-departmental static, and many other reasons. Duplicate work can take hours of productivity from employees daily. More streamlined IT reduces instances of duplicate work.

Increasing Complexity in Management of Data

IT consultants in Irvine can be integral in helping you manage larger and more complex data sets. Cloud computing and big data are here. You’ve got to contend with them. They can be complicated to tackle on your own, and they’re a necessary means of operation for competitive viability. However, they can also make data management less complex, and MSPs can show you how.

Optimizing Your Business Through MSP Support

Irvine IT support through Advanced Networks can be essential in helping you manage data more efficiently, reduce duplicate workloads, and manage emails more effectively. Contact us for consultation and possible solutions to help your business thrive.

Irvine IT support can be essential in helping your business maximize its competitive viability through mobile infrastructure solutions like cloud computing, decentralization, and BYOD. Bring Your Own Device is a paradigm wherein employees use their own computers for the needs of your business. However, they’re often working remotely, and so many MSPs advise MDM, or Mobile Device Management. One feature of MDM which is virtually required, but doesn’t only apply to mobile devices, is called “MFA.” MFA stands for “Multi-Factor Authentication.”

So, say you had employees that need to log-on to a cloud-based desktop from a location that isn’t your business’s location. Well, if you had MFA, then after they entered their email and password to log in, a message would be sent to a smartphone, email address, or something similar with an additional access code.

A Closer Look at MFA

The idea behind MFA is to establish the legitimacy of an access request through multiple channels. IT consulting firms in Irvine promotes the use of MFA, as it has been shown to have a high degree of effectiveness. In point of fact, 57% of businesses have begun using MFA, and that percentage is steadily increasing as businesses become more aware of the dangers out there.

Irvine IT support firms can help you institute MFA solutions, and there are a number of different ways these can be applied to your infrastructure. Essentially, there are going to be three factors you can choose from, you’ll use at least two of these factor families. Depending on the factor, there may be a few different internal options. These factors are:

• The Inherence Factor
• The Possession Factor
• The Knowledge Factor

Knowledge factors could be passphrases, PINs, or passwords. Possession factors are usually smartphones, but you could use a security dongle, a smart card, or another verification method— like clicking OK or getting sent a time-sensitive password that’s for one-time use. Lastly, the inherence factor involves something like a biometric option. Fingerprints, face scans, voice control, or iris scans could be the best route; it depends on your business. IT consulting in Irvine can be key in helping you determine which of these is best for you.

Balanced MFA

Irvine IT support through Advanced Networks can provide key information to help you secure your business. MFA options including inherence, knowledge, or possession factors facilitate exceptionally secure operation. Contact us for more information on this and other security solutions.

What Irvine IT Support Services Will Provide You the Best Backup and Disaster Recovery?

Irvine IT support experts will often stress the importance of backup and disaster recovery (BDR). The best possible security is incapable of preventing all data breaches.

As disasters hit corporations, new security measures develop. BDR is the “lifeboat” of your data “ship”— and you want good lifeboats. Look for a provider of managed IT services in Orange County which offer these services:

Identification and Prioritization of Systems, Threats, and Assets

Irvine IT support experts should help identify which threats are most likely to impact you and protect against those directly. Similarly, the right MSP will help identify which systems and assets require the most protection and help you comprehensively back them up regularly. If you can find backup options that are essentially continuous and have impact on regular operations that is minimal, this is desirable.

Combinations of BDR Solutions Which Match the Needs of Your Operation

Managed IT services providers in Orange County should be able to help institute multiple backups. There’s a rule called the “3-2-1” rule of data backup. Essentially, you have three separate backups on at least two different types of media, one of which is located off-site. Different operations have different backup methodologies that suit them better or worse, you want an MSP who is flexible enough to work with you in securely redundant options.

Clear Testing Protocols and The Potential to Update BDR Paradigms as Tech Develops

When you’ve got something put together, it must be tested accurately. MSPs can do this more effectively than most internal tech teams, and you’ll save time. But that’s not all— computers are becoming decentralized owing to cloud computing, and the BDR paradigms of today may very well not be those of tomorrow— you want flexible solutions that can transition with the times. The right MSP will provide these.

Reliable BDR

Irvine IT support through Advanced Networks can help you determine what sort of BDR you need. You’ll get guidance in testing, combinations, application, and access to consultation regarding assets, systems, and threats which should be prioritized. Contact us for more information.

Irvine IT Support: Benefits of the Right Cloud Storage

Irvine IT support firms often appraise businesses looking to totally secure their data to use cloud storage options. Essentially, cloud computing storage puts your data on an array of networked servers. The Amazon cloud has over a million servers. You can either do public, private, or hybrid cloud storage options.

IT outsourcing experts in Irvine can help you determine which sort of cloud storage is best for your business. When you’ve got it instituted, you can reduce overall operational costs, increase profitability, and many other things. We’ll take a brief look at three distinct cloud storage advantages:

1. Increased Security Over Internal Potential

Irvine IT support firms can manage your data with competitive motivation behind their professionalism. They’ve got to stay on the cutting edge as pertains to antivirus software and firewalls. Additionally, they’ve got to keep their systems as up-to-date as feasibly and profitably possible.

Accordingly, they can manage your data better than most on-site options for small businesses. The small business is limited by internal budget and employees. Cloud options aren’t. Plus, you can reserve private cloud space for the most sensitive data.

2. Expanded Accessibility of Data

IT outsourcing experts in Irvine make sure that those with proper access credentials on a trusted connection can access your information from wherever they happen to be. This can be excellent for operational productivity. Data can be updated remotely and remain secure perpetually.

3. Greater Scalability

On-site storage requires additional hardware as data expands, and you’ve got to store it on-site, making scale-out procedures more expensive. Cloud computing has monthly subscription thresholds, and you just gradually climb the “ladder” as you go. It’s simpler and less expensive.

Incorporating Cloud Storage Solutions Representative of Your Business

Irvine IT support through Advanced Networks can help you scale-up more cost-effectively through cloud storage, increase data accessibility, and expand security potential. For more advice and information, contact us.