Posts Tagged ‘IT consultant’
Information Technology and Company Reputation
Company reputation is one of those make-or-break deals in today’s business climate. Companies like Zappos, which thrives on good word-of-mouth, have put the spotlight on the importance of customer service and online image in building a successful business.
However, company reputation isn’t just about good customer service. Company reputation goes beyond making a customer feel good to making sure your customers never realize that you put time, effort, and money into making the entire interaction positive.
For example, few customers think about the amount of capacity planning their financial may or may not have considered before going live with online banking. They don’t care how many other customers are using the billpay system at the same time as them, and they don’t care how much it costs you to create a secure network. What they care about is getting their financial information in real time and not being bothered by an overloaded system.
In this way, information technology is a lot like a building’s foundation. Few people know just how much architectural planning goes into creating the foundation for their home; all they know is that they want the house to remain solid even when earthquakes, mudslides, and regular wear and tear make their mark.
That’s why any negative feedback from consumers on the state of your IT system can be catastrophic to your business. This doesn’t just mean that you have to protect against an attack that threatens your customer data or safety; it also means you have to have a strong infrastructure that is able to make everything appear effortless and easy.
For many companies, this means you need a greater focus on capacity planning and IT vulnerability management. IT planning is, after all, the real scene-behind-the-scenes of any good company that operates online or utilizes a large database of customer information. Whether you need to build a new IT backbone from the ground-up, or you simply want to reassess your foundation and fill in the cracks, you, too, can benefit from a good company reputation.
Information Technology: Why Hire a Third Party
As more and more people become computer-savvy and companies open up IT departments to handle information and technology needs, the idea of hiring a third party may seem like an expense you simply don’t need. However, there are benefits to a third party IT professional beyond the obvious.
Vulnerability programs can slow your system down. Your employees and customers need to use your network every day in order to make purchases and get the job done. Vulnerability assessments and security scans can take up some of that precious bandwidth and make your system slow down. A third party IT firm can run their programs during non-office hours without placing a burden on your employees.
When it comes to knowledge, sharing is key. One of the primary benefits of an IT firm is that the professionals have worked with dozens of firms in the same industry as yours. While a reputable firm would never share sensitive information, they may have insight into best practices and new technologies that may or may not have worked for another company.
Distance provides clarity. In the bustle of day-to-day activities, an on-site IT department or professional might prioritize tasks according to a skewed system. After all, your employees have their own to-do lists and tasks to be completed, and they may not have the “bigger picture” in mind. When you work with an outside IT firm, you can create your own list of priorities and act accordingly. This will ensure that the most important (and foundation-building) tasks get done first.
It doesn’t matter whether your company is considering information technology risks for the first time or if you’ve been in the business of IT safety for years; looking for a third party IT provider is a great step. Save time, save money, and save the headache of IT disasters to come by outsourcing all your IT needs.
Vulnerability Metrics, Simplified
In its most basic form, vulnerability metrics is a set of values assigned to networks and applications. However, in order to use it to prevent an IT disaster, you need to know how to use those metrics effectively. Vulnerability metrics are best used when applied to determine how at risk a business is from a network threat as well as how great of an impact that threat will be.
Imagine the following scenario:
You suspect theft from within your company. What kind of measures would you take to catch the thief, prevent it from happening again, and regain whatever it is that has been affected? What actvities can be set aside while you focus on this task, and what simply cannot be sacrificed at this time?
Vulnerability metrics is basically the network of professionals behind the hero in an action-packed thriller movie. While the hero is responsible for going out there and getting things done, he can’t do it without someone he trusts processing his information, warning him of risks, and providing a sounding board for making the right decisions.
In the same way, without the metrics allowing you to compare and identify your most important threats, you not only leave your network exposed and defenseless, but it will be difficult to recuperate from the threat and you would not know how to prevent it from happening again. After all, you have to keep that hero alive and working.
There is a weakness to every organization, it is finding it and controlling it that is the true task. Once you are aware of your company’s weakness, you can understand the affects of it and learn how to prevent it.
Though it is easy to obtain vulnerability metrics, implementing them is a harder task if you are not properly trained. A well-qualified employee or an IT consultant has been trained to use the metrics system specifically for your business and your bottom line. With the correct training, vulnerability metrics can be an essential service in protection your business.
Hey, Buddy, Is Your System Safe?
Like a thief in the night, someone is scanning your network. They are looking for the weaknesses in your applications and in your infrastructure. With patience and some meddling, they slowly begin to understand how it is set up. Now they can begin to exploit those weaknesses, taking their time and trying to find their way in without being detected. If they get in, they could trash your system, steal your data, or even hijack control of your network. They steadily work at it, and with a little more maneuvering, they’re just about in. Will they make it?
This sounds like a nightmare, but what if it was actually a good guy trying to break in to your network? That’s what penetration testing is all about. Penetration testing is when you purposefully try to break into your own system in order to determine if there are security gaps. No matter how tight security is around your network, there may be some loopholes that you just don’t know about until you actually try to hack your way in.
The major difference, of course, is that when someone you trust is attempting to penetrate your system, you know there will be no damage. Instead, they will use the information they gather to further secure and update any weaknesses they find. By pretending to be an attacker, they can find loopholes you may never have known existed.
Could your network use a little covert penetration testing? Chances are, it could. You may be surprised at the weaknesses you find – and wouldn’t you rather the person breaking in be working for you?
Using Online Meetings for Efficient Communications
In this day and age, technology is everywhere. It defines how we communicate, how we work, and even how often we head into the office. Telecommuting has allowed people to live almost anywhere, yet still work together in a remarkably efficient fashion. Sometimes, however, the whole team needs to get together and have a meeting. If flying the group in to one location just isn’t feasible or in the budget, what can you do?
Host an online meeting, of course!
There are a variety of software options on the market that can help you conduct your meeting. You’ll need to be able to speak with each other and possibly even to see each other, and there are products that will allow every person attending the meeting to follow along on their own computer. Presentations and demonstrations can be conducted from one location while all of the attendees follow along and participate in real time. You can also create online blackboards that you update as you speak.
In addition to software options, you can also train your employees to get the most out of the telecommunications process using an IT consultant who specializes in the practice. Part of being successful at working remotely is knowing how to get the most out of a group of employees in different time zones and using different types of technology.
It doesn’t matter what type of business you’re in – there are communications options that break down traditional barriers. By tapping into new software and technology, you can find solutions that will help your online meetings be even more productive.
Have You Maximized Your Bandwidth?
You’re cruising down the highway, your music is playing, there are no cars in sight, and there’s not a cloud in the sky. All of a sudden, you hit the brakes because there’s a five car pile up and both lanes are blocked. What’s a driver to do?
Much like driving a car, your bandwidth is all about keeping data flowing and your network speed constant. Occasionally, something can get in the way and slow everything down, sometimes bringing your entire infrastructure to a screeching halt. There are a few steps you can take to avoid this, however. By maximizing your bandwidth you can keep your data moving at high speed.
Some programs put more drag on your bandwidth than others. Streaming music, videos, or even stock quotes can take up a tremendous amount of bandwidth, and they rarely offer much to your business in return. Sure, radios feel pretty ancient in our fast-paced world, but they don’t block the road, either. Removing access to programs and sites that stream data can remove roadblocks, keeping your data moving at high speed.
Keeping the roads clear, however, requires that you know jut where and what they are. Try mapping your system and looking for sudden spikes in usage. If you can pinpoint what is causing a bottleneck, you can find ways to eliminate it and get back to business.
So much depends on how quickly we can send information. By removing the hazards that are slowing down your network, you can keep your business moving and reach your destination with time to spare.
Freeware vs. Payware
So you need some new software, but don’t want to pay top dollar. Protecting your bottom line is always a good idea, but just how safe is the freeware out there? Are you better off paying for your software, or are there reliable free options out there?
Like most items on the market, some are good and some are bad, and you often get what you pay for. Freeware, however, can be the exception to that rule. It can solve your software needs without you having to spend a dime, but free software can also be buggy and have little to no support if something goes wrong. Payware, on the other hand, is often well supported, but it’s the money you’re shelling out for it that pays for this service. How do you know which is right for your business?
The truth of the matter is that both options have their benefits, but you still have to know which software to trust. An experienced IT consultant can be your guide in the software jungle. The right professional will know what free software is worth the risk and what payware is overcharging you for the same services. Finding quality software can be risky, especially when you are downloading programs from the internet to place on your network. A consultant can help you navigate through the options and find the best software for your needs.
It’s a jungle out there, but there are ways to make it past the hazards. An experienced consultant can find you what you need and ensure that it is both safe and fits your budget. You don’t have to fear freeware. Get a guide, and enjoy the adventure!
Could Your Business Benefit From an IT Consultant?
Whether your business is brand new or has been around for generations, chances are that you don’t specialize in computers or network security. Why would you? Your goal is to provide the best service and products to your customers or your clients. Your focus is on what you provide, and it’s why they value you. They also put their trust in you, and protecting that trust is a tremendous responsibility. Are you up to the challenge?
If you have access to credit card data, names, addresses or any sort of personal information, you have the duty to protect it. You may be taking every precaution to keep this data safe, but how much do you really know about computer security? How much does your staff know? Even fabulous IT professionals find their skills growing stagnant over time sitting at a desk. A great solution is to hire an IT consultant. When you choose the right consulting firm, you get a trained professional who shows up on time, reviews your system and helps you make the changes needed. Not only that, you only pay them only for the time you use them, and that’s a smart deal. Your data and network stays safe, you keep your expenses in check, and everyone wins.
Think of it this way — if you lose the data, you lose customers, clients, and even your reputation. You may even be held legally responsible. Hiring an IT consultant can help prevent any of this from happening, and at a minimal cost to your business. Your customers are happy, your business continues for a few more generations, and you can take the credit for making the decision. What’s not to love?