Imagine yourself walking into a dental clinic as a patient. Do you notice the sleek, state-of-the-art space immediately, or how effortlessly your device latches onto their swift Wi-Fi? This is the seamless experience provided by top-notch IT. On the other hand, you might encounter a space that whisks you back to the ’90s with its obsolete computers and unreliable internet connection.
The choice between these contrasting experiences is clear when considering where you’d prefer future appointments. It underscores the vital truth: the caliber of technology within your dental office is instrumental in forming patient impressions. A practice equipped with top-notch IT not only exudes professionalism but also assures a more streamlined and effective patient journey. On the flip side, outdated tech might turn new patients away even before they have the chance to be impressed by your dental expertise.
Why Modern Tech Matters in Dental Practices
Initial perceptions are crucial, especially in dentistry, where the tech in your office contributes significantly to that initial encounter. An office outfitted with sleek, advanced technology communicates to patients that you lead the pack in dental treatment, offering state-of-the-art care and unparalleled efficiency. This transcends mere aesthetics; it’s about delivering exceptional care and convenience that goes beyond what’s anticipated.
Conversely, the presence of obsolete technology can serve as a stark warning to prospective patients. Disheveled wires and antiquated equipment may suggest that your practice is not on par with current dental technological standards, prompting patients to question what other areas might be deficient.
The Real Cost of “Bad IT”
Bad IT impacts more than just the image of your practice; it also affects your productivity and financial bottom line. Consider a scenario where your patient portal goes down for just thirty minutes. While it might seem trivial, this disruption halts scheduling and communication entirely. Conservatively estimating, this could cost $60 in direct employee costs and lost productivity. Multiply this by five employees, and you’re looking at a $300 loss in just half an hour.
Moreover, this doesn’t even account for the frustration and inconvenience experienced by your patients, who find themselves unable to log in or access their scheduling and other critical information.
Time to Upgrade!
Investing in top-notch IT for your practice isn’t merely an expense—it’s a crucial investment in your future and a pledge to deliver the best care to your patients. By ensuring your patient portal operates flawlessly, your office Wi-Fi is swift and reliable, and your scheduling system is optimized, every update you implement significantly improves the patient experience. These enhancements show your patients that you respect their time and comfort, reinforcing their choice to rely on you for their dental needs.
Are you ready to elevate your dental practice with modern technology and gain an edge over the competition? Visit Contact Us | Data Magic (datamagicinc.com) today to start your journey towards more efficient technology and greater patient satisfaction!
In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity insurance for your business plays a pivotal role in managing business risks. With the continuous evolution of cyber threats, the criteria for obtaining cybersecurity insurance coverage are also changing. This article delves into how these requirements are evolving and highlights the growing importance of implementing security measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and endpoint protection.
What is Cyber Insurance?
Cybersecurity insurance is crafted to shield companies from the economic impacts of cyber incidents, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and various cybercrimes. This insurance generally encompasses costs associated with data recovery, legal expenses, notification fees, and occasionally, ransom demands.
Evolving Requirements of Cybersecurity Insurance for Your Business:
Risk Assessment: Insurers are placing greater emphasis on comprehensive risk assessments before providing coverage. This means evaluating a company’s current cybersecurity practices, incident response plans, and overall security posture.
Increased Security Measures: As part of risk mitigation, insurers now often require businesses to implement specific cybersecurity measures, such as MFA and endpoint protection.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
MFA adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource, like a database or an online account. This could include something you know (a password), something you have (a smartphone), or something you are (biometric verification).
Why MFA is Important for Cyber Insurance:
Reduces Risk of Unauthorized Access: MFA significantly decreases the chances of a successful cyber attack by making it harder for attackers to gain access, even if they have a password.
Insurance Requirements: Many insurers now consider the presence of MFA as a critical factor in determining eligibility and pricing for cyber insurance policies.
Endpoint Protection:
Endpoints are devices like computers, mobile phones, and servers that connect to a company’s network. Endpoint protection involves securing these devices from malicious activities and threats.
Significance of Endpoint Protection in Cyber Insurance:
Comprehensive Security: It ensures that all devices connected to a network are secure, reducing the risk of data breaches and malware attacks.
Insurance Compliance: Demonstrating robust endpoint protection can be a key factor in securing favorable cyber insurance terms.
The Future of Cybersecurity Insurance for Your Business:
As cyber threats advance, the criteria for obtaining cybersecurity insurance for your business will also adapt. Companies should anticipate that insurance providers will require enhanced cybersecurity protocols and a demonstrable history of effective cyber risk management.
Cyber Insurance Application Process:
Assessment of Cybersecurity Practices: Businesses must provide detailed information about their cybersecurity practices, including the use of MFA and endpoint protection.
Premium Calculation: Insurers use this information to assess risk and calculate premiums. Better cybersecurity practices generally lead to lower premiums.
Cybersecurity insurance for your business is a crucial component of contemporary risk management strategies. Comprehending and adhering to the changing prerequisites not only ensures the acquisition of a favorable insurance plan but also considerably enhances the cybersecurity framework of a business. Navigating this process can be complex, but our team is ready to assist you from the beginning and guide you through every phase. Reach out today!
It’s surprising to observe how frequently dealerships store the majority of their files on a single computer, mistaking it for a “server” that’s at risk of crashing or being encrypted, potentially leading to total data loss.
With many dealership applications already in the cloud, the reliance on desktop storage is outdated.
This common oversight highlights a significant gap in adopting effective Cloud Migration Strategies for Dealerships, often due to the lack of proper guidance from IT providers, which leaves their networks vulnerable.
Cloud Migration Strategies for Dealerships (That Won’t Break the Bank)
Numerous affordable methods exist for securely transferring your data to the cloud.
For example, if your dealership largely operates on the cloud already, transitioning your files to SharePoint could be a smooth move. This method maintains files on your local desktop while synchronizing with the cloud, allowing access to other users as required. Should you have a server loaded with applications and files, migrating to Azure or a similar cloud service is feasible.
Such a shift not only liberates physical space at your dealership but also guarantees that the necessary team members can retrieve the files they require, whenever they need them.
No more waiting for Susan in HR to turn her computer on….
Your Next Steps
If you’re grappling with the challenges of mismanaged technology, our expertise lies in enhancing technological solutions for our dealership clients, with a keen focus on Cloud Migration Strategies for Dealerships. This approach ensures that your dealership can leverage the latest in cloud technology, optimizing operations and securing data more effectively.
Don’t hesitate connect with us today! We’re eager to assist by providing an onsite visit for a swift network evaluation, tailored specifically to align with strategic cloud migration solutions that meet the unique needs of your dealership.
Managing a business, department, or team often means the last thing on your mind is additional IT reporting. Yet, in the realm of business, few elements are as crucial as the PPT Framework: People, Processes, and Technology.
However, technology tends to be the odd one out among these three.
IT Reporting in the past was cumbersome, long, and honestly, not that helpful. However, we’ve come a long way from those 20-page reports of technical jargon!
Receiving monthly IT reports plays a vital role in your business operations. Access to a dashboard or a quick snapshot of your technology’s key components ensures you stay well-informed about the actions your IT Provider or team is taking on behalf of your organization.
So, starter question: Are you currently receiving any IT Reporting
If yes, great! Read on and learn about what reports should be included.
If not, it might be time to express interest to your IT Provider that you’ve had a change of heart, and you would like to start seeing those reports again.
Report #1 Hardware Inventory
Knowing the managed devices (such as computers, laptops, servers, switches, access points, etc.) present in your organization is crucial. Additionally, being aware of their age, warranty status, and when they’re due for replacement aids in budgeting effectively and maintaining your organization’s well-being. It also allows you to identify any computers that might be missing from reports and need inclusion.
Report #2 Data Backup
You’re familiar with the concept of backups. No technical expertise is required to understand a monthly confirmation indicating whether your backups were successful. It’s straightforward: green for success, red for failure, right?
Report #3 Security Report
You know what patching and security updates are. You need to know whether this is happening on a consistent basis. Anything red?
If so, why is there red and how can we get that in the green as soon as possible?
Report #4 Projects
You just signed off on a big IT project. What next? Getting status updates and reports of progress are important. No technical information required.
Reports can be advantageous, but it’s crucial to navigate the delicate balance of ‘alert fatigue’ when it comes to IT Reporting. Being bombarded with too much information might result in it being ignored. With these four key snapshots, dedicating just a few minutes each month for a review can offer you a succinct summary that your IT needs are being addressed. Additionally, they serve as an insightful tool to verify if your IT Provider is fulfilling their responsibilities to ensure the wellness of your business.
If you need help with what type of IT reporting to request or have any questions at all, please reach out: we’re happy to help!
The hybrid work model, blending remote and office-based tasks, presents unique cybersecurity challenges for many businesses. In this blog, we’ll delve into these challenges and provide clear Hybrid Work Cybersecurity Strategies to help business owners mitigate their impact.
Let’s dive into Hybrid Work Cybersecurity Strategies!
In a hybrid work environment, it’s crucial to guarantee that employees have access solely to the resources necessary for their roles, and nothing beyond. Imagine it like entrusting a house key solely to individuals who require entry. Streamlining the process of distributing these ‘keys’ (or access to company assets) can enhance efficiency and diminish ambiguity, particularly in situations where swift access is essential.
Spotting Security Risks:
With team members operating from different locations, identifying activities signaling potential security threats becomes more challenging. It’s like monitoring multiple doors simultaneously. Companies must adopt more intelligent methods to oversee these entry points – consider sophisticated alarm systems capable of notifying you of any discrepancies, even in your absence. Optimal cybersecurity measures vigilantly guard these doors, promptly informing your business of any irregularities!
Flexible Security Rules:
Security protocols must be versatile and easily adjustable. For instance, should an employee attempt to access documents from an unfamiliar location, the system may require additional verification or momentarily restrict their viewing capabilities. It’s crucial to have these protocols established and to be well-informed on how to implement them. They play a critical role in granting the correct access rights to employees and sealing any potential vulnerabilities within your network.
Practical Tips for Business Owners:
Educate Your Team: Teach your team about safe online practices and how to not “open the door” for hackers and threats.
Encourage Secure Connections: Use tools like VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to create a secure ‘tunnel’ for your data. A VPN is like sending your mail in a locked box rather than a transparent envelope.
Extra Security Steps: Implement extra steps like Multi-Factor Authentication, which sends a code to your phone when logging into important systems. Make sure you take the time to do this, and don’t underestimate the necessity!
Keep Systems Updated: Ensure all devices used for work are up-to-date with the latest security features.
Guide on Home Network Security: Help your team secure their home internet connections so that their home security is just as robust as your office.
Conclusion:
Implementing Hybrid Work Cybersecurity Strategies in a hybrid work environment doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By streamlining access to resources, staying vigilant against unusual activities, and enforcing flexible security protocols, you can safeguard your business efficiently. Proper execution of these strategies ensures a secure and adaptable work setting that accommodates your team’s requirements. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team!
When people think of “hackers,” they typically picture someone in a hoodie, feverishly typing to break into networks. However, hacking extends beyond just deciphering passwords or exploiting system flaws; it often includes social engineering and targeted attacks. This understanding is crucial for effective cyber-attack prevention, as it broadens the scope of what businesses need to protect against.
Let’s adopt a hacker’s mindset for cyber-attack prevention! Consider this scenario:
Imagine you were to target your own company. How would you do it?
You could look up your business on Google or LinkedIn to see who the decision makers are.
You might find a decision maker you can target!
You can create a free email and “pretend” to be yourself.
You can try to trick that decision maker into sending sensitive information, changing accounting information, or other activities that would leave your business vulnerable.
How long did those take?
Now imagine that being your full-time occupation! That’s precisely why the subject of cybersecurity holds such significance.
If your business has:
1.) Employee Cybersecurity Training
2.) Spam Filtering that can block spoofing
3.) Data Loss Prevention that prevents sensitive information from leaving the company
The likelihood of experiencing an incident drops substantially! Rather than foregoing these solutions and exposing your most crucial asset to risk, contact our team to seize control of your cybersecurity.
6 Reasons Your Slow Computers are Costing Your Business
I understand the reluctance to invest in new computers every five years—such an investment can seem like a large expense for devices that are still operational. However, there is a critical reason why large companies maintain a strict 4-5 year cycle for updating their computers. They recognize that the efficiency and output of their business are significantly dependent on the tools their employees use for the vast majority of their workday. This highlights how slow computers are costing your business in terms of reduced effectiveness and productivity.
In this post, we will detail the various expenses, both apparent and concealed, that slow computers are costing your business—a significant financial impact that cannot be overlooked.
Six Reasons Your Slow Computers are Costing Your Business
Reduced Productivity:
Aging computers often operate at a slower pace, experience extended startup times, and face challenges in managing current software and applications. This situation results in a drop in productivity, as staff members find themselves waiting longer for tasks to finish.
Increased Downtime:
Aging computers often operate at a slower pace, experience extended startup times, and face challenges in managing current software and applications. This situation results in a drop in productivity, as staff members find themselves waiting longer for tasks to finish.
Security Risks:
Outdated hardware and software become increasingly susceptible to security vulnerabilities. Operating systems that no longer receive essential security patches become prime targets for cyber threats and data violations.
Higher Maintenance Costs:
With time, the components of computers are more likely to malfunction, resulting in escalating maintenance and repair expenses. The cumulative cost of minor repairs can rapidly become significant. Avoiding this inconvenience altogether, or opting for a newer computer under warranty, is a far more prudent choice.
Energy Inefficiency:
Older computers typically lack energy efficiency, drawing more electricity and thereby inflating energy costs. In today’s terms, this equates to a tangible monthly financial loss.
Negative Perception:
In a professional setting, outdated technology can create a negative impression on clients, partners, and potential employees. It may signal that the business is not keeping up with the times and may not be capable of delivering cutting-edge products or services.
Also, a quick bonus reason:
Impacting Innovation:
In today’s rapidly changing world, the failure to harness applications made for swifter, contemporary computers can significantly handicap your business. This encompasses artificial intelligence tools, state-of-the-art applications, and the latest software enhancements. It’s important to note how slow computers are costing your business by preventing access to these advancements.
The silver lining? Investing in a new computer often returns its value in short order!
Need help identifying what computers best fit your business and user roles? That’s what we’re here for. Give us a call or send us an email. No sales tactics or pitches, just happy to help.
Thinking about teaming up with a Managed Service Provider but not sure where to begin? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this guide, we dive into the Managed IT Service Provider Pros and Cons for your business. We’re keeping it real – no misleading information. Just the genuine pros and cons of partnering with an MSP, all from the honest perspective of a current Managed Service Provider.
Managed IT Service Provider Pros and Cons
Pros:
Expertise. Replicating the resources and expertise you gain with an MSP would be very expensive. Often having a dedicated cybersecurity specialist, multiple network administrators, a professional services team, a provisioning team, and a help desk.
The suite of tools they have access to is oftentimes specialized and expensive. Due to the economies of scale of the computers and networks they support, they can manage and monitor your network at a higher level than internal IT (usually) at a lower cost.
They have vast knowledge of technology at hundreds of different locations. They see what works and does not work in different settings. They are not “siloed” and can introduce you to new and better technology to improve your business operation.
Robust processes and documentation to ensure tickets are completed in a timely fashion. There is a mutual incentive to fix problems quickly and ensure service tickets are minimized, which requires doing things right the first time!
Allows scaling up and down easily. Pricing is often based on a per endpoint or user. As you grow, your technology spending is easy to predict, rather than having to hire an additional IT team member who may not be working at full capacity or even close to it.
Cons:
You have access to the resources, but the amount of time you get is much less than if you had an internal team.
They will not know the ins and outs of your business-specific applications or vendor nuances like an internal IT person could.
Massive variation in the quality and responsiveness of MSPs. It can be difficult to determine which MSP to choose. Support and pricing can vary greatly! To help more with this, check out (16 questions as a potential Managed IT Provider). The responses to these questions will tell you a lot and help you choose the right provider.
Employees don’t have contracts usually… Even if you’re unhappy with a provider. Oftentimes, there is a minimum of a one-year contract in place.
Less direct management of your IT systems – Your provider will likely have a standard set of tools they implement. If you or your internal IT prefer a different set of tools, there will often be a mishmash. This is rarely an issue because most organizations hire a Managed Service Provider, so they do not have to consider these things. However, in rare cases, if they do want to stray away from the recommendations, it could be considered a con for both parties.
Have you gone through our detailed exploration of the Managed IT Service Provider Pros and Cons and are considering if an MSP is the ideal choice for your business? Need a bit more assurance? Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation to align your technology needs with your business objectives!
Ever found yourself in a meeting where a cloud computing jargon is casually mentioned, and while everyone else nods, you’re discreetly searching for its meaning on your phone? You’re not alone; it happens to the best of us. The realm of cloud technology is brimming with technical jargon that can be bewildering. But don’t worry! We’re here to help. Let’s demystify some of that complex terminology so you can navigate the cloud world with assurance.
Okay, let’s begin with the fundamentals. Picture this: instead of keeping your data or operating your software on your computer or an office server, you’re doing it through the internet. This is what cloud computing is all about! It enhances the accessibility of your data and offers greater flexibility for you.
2. Public vs. Private vs. Hybrid Cloud
Public Cloud: Think of this as renting an apartment in a big building. You’re using shared resources (like AWS or Google Cloud), but you’ve got your own secure space.
Private Cloud: This is like having your mansion. All resources are exclusively for your business. Fancy, right?
Hybrid Cloud: Got a foot in both of the above worlds? That’s hybrid. It’s a mix of private and public cloud solutions tailored to your needs.
3. IaaS, PaaS, SaaS (Not just random letters, I promise!)
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): It’s like renting the foundation of a house, then building on it. You’re renting the basic infrastructure and deciding what to do with it.
PaaS (Platform as a Service): Here, you’re renting both the foundation and the house, but you decide on the interior design. It’s a platform where you can develop and run your apps.
SaaS (Software as a Service): This is like Airbnb. You’re renting a fully furnished house (software) for a specific period: think Google Docs or Dropbox.
4. Virtualization
Imagine turning one physical thing into many virtual versions of itself. It’s like having one big cake (a server) and slicing it up so many people can enjoy it (as virtual servers).
5. Edge Computing
This is all about processing data closer to where it’s generated (like on your smartphone) rather than in a centralized data center. This would be like making decisions on the spot instead of waiting to get back to the office.
6. Multi-Tenancy
This occurs when one version of a software application is used to serve several customers. Imagine it like a single ice cream dispenser offering a variety of flavors. Each person gets to choose their preferred taste, yet it all originates from the same dispenser.
7. API (Application Programming Interface)
Think of APIs as waiters in a restaurant. You ask for something (data), and the waiter (API) goes to the kitchen (the system) to get it for you.
Wrapping Up…
There you have it—a quick and painless rundown of some cloud computing jargon. Next time someone throws a cloud term your way, you’ll be ready to volley it right back.
If you still need some help understanding the cloud, reach out today!
As a busy business owner, you’ve got plenty on your plate. Keeping your business efficient and on-target is crucial, but let’s face it: you don’t have time to dive deep into the technical details of every new software tool that comes along.
At Data Magic, we get it: you need your business’s IT operations to stay modern and competitive, but you have other things to spend your time on.
That’s why we’ve created a few non-technical guides to key tools or initiatives: our goal is to give you a quick read in plain language so you can make the right decision.
Today we’re covering Microsoft Intune: what it is, and what it can do for you.
What Is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution. But that’s not a very helpful term for nontechnical users, so let’s break it down.
“Cloud-based” means it runs in the cloud, rather than on your servers.
“Endpoint management” is the process of setting up user access, determining who can do what with their company devices, and keeping user devices up to date without having to manually install every single Windows update.
Essentially, Microsoft Intune is a solution that helps your business control two things:
User access: who can see, download, and edit which files, documents, and so forth
The devices those users use: what software is preloaded, what can they install on their own, security updates, and so forth
It’s a part of the Microsoft 365 (formerly Office) suite that you’re likely already paying for, and it’s an incredibly powerful tool. That said, it’s not as end-user- or beginner-friendly as Word or PowerPoint or Outlook.
Setting up and using Intune can seem like a lot. But the benefits are worth the investment. And if you need a partner to help you move forward, we should chat!
Top Benefits of Microsoft Intune for Your Business
Here are the top benefits of Microsoft Intune for your business — explained in terms that don’t require a computer science degree.
1. Simplifies the process of equipping employees with new computers
When you hire a new employee or give a current one a newer computer, someone has to set it up. Someone has to connect the cables and plug the thing in, but you also have to worry about software.
Most businesses have moved past manually installing Office, Slack, Salesforce, and whatever other desktop apps a user may need. It’s time-consuming to do this and imagine if you hired 10 new employees (or 100!). Manual installs aren’t scalable.
So instead, businesses use one of several methods to automate parts of this process.
This may be called imaging or provisioning a device. It can happen on-site, where a tech essentially copies an existing device setup (an image) onto the new device’s hard drive.
But it can also happen via the cloud, thanks to Microsoft Intune.
In our remote-focused world, this is a big deal. With Intune, you can ship a computer to a new employee. All they need is a login, and Intune pushes all the software and settings they’ll need onto their device — automatically.
2. Automate your IT policies and security settings
Even after every employee has a functioning PC with the right software installed, there’s no accounting for the sorts of things those employees will try to do with their machines. Just like Intune can push the right software and software updates to a device automatically, it can also impose the IT policies and cybersecurity “guardrails” that your business sets up. (Your IT partner can help with figuring out what these should be.)
This way you’re not constantly putting out fires, telling people to stop doing x or y and trusting they’ll do it, or just hoping for the best that the policies you initially set up won’t get changed or go out of date.
With Microsoft Intune, all of this can be managed remotely. Need to change a security setting due to a new threat? Change it in Intune, and the change gets pushed to every user’s PC.
3. Integrates with the rest of Microsoft 365 (and other Microsoft services)
More than likely if you’re looking into Intune you’re already using other Microsoft products: your workforce is using PCs running Windows, and you’re probably already paying for them to have access to Microsoft 365 (the productivity suite containing Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and something like 50 additional tools).
If that’s true, then it means Intune could be effectively free for you depending on the subscription you have. But even more importantly, it means that Intune integrates closely with all those other Microsoft products and services you’re using. (Integrations aren’t rare and aren’t exclusive, but when you stick with products made by the same company you tend to get better, more robust integrations.)
When used to the fullest, these integrations give you a comprehensive approach to security, analytics, deployment, and endpoint management. For many businesses, doing it this way is far less hassle than using dedicated solutions from various providers for each of these functions.
4. Works with mobile threat defense services
Endpoint management deals with the devices your company owns. But what do you do about employees who want (or even need) to access company resources from their phones or laptops?
Most companies offer a correlating service for mobile threat defense, and Microsoft is no exception. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is the first-party option, and there are plenty of others out there.
With these services, you’ll be able to control what mobile devices can access and keep your company’s IT resources safer. And if you choose Defender for Endpoint along with Intune, you’ll get a harmonized, integrated experience.
5. Enables access control and conditional access
This one can get technical in a hurry, but we’ll keep it straightforward: not everyone in your business should have access to everything in your IT environment. Deciding and enforcing who can see/edit/download/delete what is called “access control”.
Conditional access works alongside, setting other sorts of limits to access. You might block all access from certain regions (where you have no employees) to keep out cybercriminals who snagged a stolen login. You might block access at certain hours, too: if no one would ever need to access files at 2 am and someone is doing so, that someone is very likely up to no good.
Intune makes both access control and conditional access simple enough for businesses of just about any size to implement.
These are just five of the many benefits your business could experience by leveraging Microsoft Intune. Got questions? Not sure about an internal deployment? Data Magic has your back. Give us a call or send us a message today!
