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OCTOBER 2020
Empowering Small Practices to Deliver the Best Care
IT
NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IS YOUR NETWORK REALLY PROTECTED?
3. ADVANCED ENDPOINT PROTECTION FOR DEVICES Having basic antivirus software is still needed, but that isn’t even half of the equation any longer. Modern security tools include anti- malware, anti-ransomware, artificial intelligence, advanced detection with logging, and much more. 4. TRAINED EMPLOYEES Make sure you train your employees over and over again about how to recognize phishing emails and other scams. Teach them to be suspicious. 5. POLICY PROCEDURES Of all the policies you can implement in your workplace, the two most important are to require complex passwords for user accounts and to restrict access to sensitive information to only those employees who need it. 6. THE RIGHT BACKUP SOLUTION If all else fails, the right backup solution can get you out of a lot of jams. The wrong solution will leave you stuck in a mess. Not all backups are created equally. Remember: If you’re connected to the internet and have a bank account, then you’re a potential target, no matter how big or small your business is. Hackers like stealing money, but contrary to popular belief, that’s not the most pressing threat when it comes to cybersecurity. The larger threat is that a hacker will break in, take control, then ransom your computers and network so that you’ll pay to get them back. Their game is extortion, but you have the ability to stop them. AZCOMP can help your business develop a layered cybersecurity approach that’s right for you. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great opportunity to
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), a yearly collaborative effort between the government, industries, and organizations of all sizes to help people stay safer and more secure online. You may not think you’re at risk to potential criminal cyber activity, but the harsh reality is that if you’re connected to the internet and have a bank account, you’re an ideal target. There are many businesses that are taking very comprehensive approaches to security and are putting great tools and dedicated services to good use. Outside those businesses, however, we often find that others fall into two different camps when it comes to cybersecurity. The first camp is complacent in their lack of any security because they think their business is too small for anyone to bother targeting or attacking them. The second camp is aware that cybersecurity is a threat, so they install something akin to free versions of Windows Defender and assume it will take care of all their needs. But more needs to be done in order to keep your business and information completely secure. Say you own a brick-and-mortar jewelry store. Every jewelry store I’ve ever visited has many different security tools in place: heavy duty security doors, metal security screens on the outside, alarms, security cameras, locking cases, and much more. They do this because they know they’re a target and there isn’t one single, perfect solution that prevents all theft. The more layers of defense you have, the harder it is to get robbed, and the same is true with cybersecurity. In fact, there are six basic layers of cybersecurity that we recommend to get started. 1. PHYSICAL PROTECTION Like the hypothetical jewelry store, you don’t want people physically stealing your computers or server or being able to walk up to unattended computers so they can plug in a thumb drive. Also, if you’re traveling, keep your laptop and other equipment carefully guarded. 2. NETWORK PROTECTION WITH NEXT-GENERATION FIREWALLS Many internet providers might give you a router that says it has a built-in firewall. These devices aren’t designed to be a robust security appliance. Instead, get a modern, next-gen firewall built specifically for network security.
evaluate your security and get the assistance you need, so don’t be afraid to reach out to us for help.
–Benson Bashford
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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS
6 Ways to Avoid Fraud
As con schemes and technology get more advanced, it’s crucial to know what to do when a suspicious call, email, or text comes through. Here are some important basics. RECOGNIZE IMPOSTERS Scammers often pretend to be someone you know or trust, such as family, friends, or government organizations. Don’t share personal information or money with someone who unexpectedly requests it and could be an imposter. SEARCH ONLINE Find out if someone is targeting you by doing an online search of the company or product name to find reviews, complaints, or scam warnings. You can also search for phone numbers to see if others have reported them as a scam. DON’T TRUST CALLER ID Technology has made it easy to counterfeit caller ID information; so the name or number you see isn’t always real. If someone starts asking for personal information or money, just hang up. If you want to test it, call back using a number you trust.
DON’T BELIEVE PROMISES Scammers often attempt to receive advance pay by promising things like debt relief or loan offers. They may even say you’ve won a prize but first have to pay taxes or fees. Don’t share any monetary information when this is the case; they’ll likely take it and disappear. PAY CAREFULLY Government offices and honest companies will never require you to use strange payment methods like money wiring or gift cards. Credit card payments are more normal, but still be cautious about sharing this information freely. HANG UP ON ROBOTS If you pick up the phone only to hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report the number to FTC.gov/complaint. These calls are illegal. Also don’t press any buttons to speak to a person or be taken to a list, as it’ll likely lead to more calls. If you receive a call or email that seems strange, the safest route is to ignore or delete it. If the communication is actually real and important, the sender will find a way to get back in touch and let you know. Caution is your friend when it comes to keeping you and your information safe. NEED NETWORKING OR COMPUTER HELP?
SPOTLIGHT ON SHELLY REISENAUER After 11 years, Shelly Reisenauer has seen it
all during the many roles she’s had at AZCOMP. That’s why there’s no one better to serve as the project manager and spearhead our newest Aprima EMR software implementations. “This new program is the latest and greatest we have to offer our clients, and that’s why we’re so excited about it,” Shelly says. “It’s one more way we’re able to bring variety to how we serve others.” Setting up a new EMR takes a lot of dedicated time working closely with several people,
Call our direct support line: 480-730-3055 Create a support ticket via email: ithelp@azcomp.com
Learn more about how to get unlimited computer and networking support at azcomp.com/it. DOWNLOAD OUR FREE REPORT
Protect Your Data What every small business owner must know about protecting & preserving their
“What every small business owner must know about protecting and preserving their company’s critical data and computer systems!” covers the essential information you need to know to keep your network safe. If you aren’t up to date on the latest in security, then your network will be at risk.
company’s critical data & computer systems!
If you depend on your computer network to run your business, this is one report you DON’T want to skip!
but that’s what Shelly loves most. “We’re about people first,” she says. “I feel confident serving our clients on every project thanks to the amazing team I know I can turn to no matter what. There’s an incredible support system running through the core of AZCOMP that allows us to be our best. We’re there for each other so we can be there for our clients whenever they need us.”
This report is available for free at azcomp.com/protect. Download it today to ensure your computer systems are as secure as possible. With this report, you will have peace of mind and can spend time enjoying the start of summer without worrying about the safety of your network and data.
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LET YOUR DISHES COOK THEMSELVES With an Automatic Pan Stirrer
Fall is here, and the weather is starting to get just a bit chillier, which means many people are starting to break out their favorite recipes to keep them warm and cozy during the season. If you like to make your own soups and sauces, you’re probably familiar with those frustratingly delicious recipes that call for constant stirring for hours on end, leaving you with little ability to do anything else with your day. But Uncommon Goods has solved that problem with their automatic pan stirrer!
Female protagonists have quickly become the popular focal point of nearly every type of entertainment medium, from books to movies and television shows. Actress Reese Witherspoon is no stranger to this trend, having starred as the female lead in several hit movies and shows. But when she started her monthly book club and her production company Hello Sunshine, she had no idea how much of an impact the two would make on female representation in media. Already voted one of the top 50 most innovative companies of 2020 (by FastCompany.com), Hello Sunshine has become a uniquely powerful engine for women’s perspective in the entertainment world. It most recently produced “Big Little Lies” for HBO, “Little Fires Everywhere” for Hulu, and has forthcoming shows and films like “Daisy Jones & the Six” and “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.” If there’s something that rings a bell about those titles, it’s most likely because each of them started as a bestselling book. But before they rose through the ranks, they were chosen to be featured in Reese Witherspoon’s book club precisely because they were written by female authors and followed feature female protagonists. Hello Sunshine is a production company on a mission to give a louder and stronger voice to the women of the entertainment industry. Nearly all the books Witherspoon’s club chooses to read go on to become New York Times bestsellers, then Hello Sunshine gets to work on adapting them into critically acclaimed stories for the screen. That way, these worthwhile female minds and creations get the broad attention they deserve — especially in an industry that has traditionally reserved the spotlight for its male members. Hello Sunshine has forged partnerships with major publishing houses and is even launching children’s and animation divisions this year. As long as women have powerful stories to tell, Hello Sunshine will find a way to get people to listen. HIGHLIGHTING POWERFUL VOICES Hello Sunshine Has a Story to Tell
The world of business has long been steeped in certain traditions and expectations, but more and more businesses are now relying on innovation, creativity, and passion to keep them aiming for the stratosphere. The key is to attract and retain talented people who have these specific qualities; but, if people aren’t given ample opportunities to speak their minds, what good can they do? Amy C. Edmondson’s book “The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth” answers that question. It offers guidance for organizations to end the traditional work culture of “fitting in” and “going along” and, instead, fosters a way for new ideas, challenges, and critical thoughts to thrive. Edmondson is a scholar of leadership, teaming, and organizational learning who currently serves as the Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School. She’s published multiple bestselling books on team building, organization, and innovation. “The Fearless Organization” has helped hundreds of teams to stop suppressing their members and instead encourage them to creatively flesh out their ideas. This book explores the culture of psychological safety through scenario- based explanations that provide a clear path for learning and innovation. It stresses the importance of creating a culture where it’s “safe” to express ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes, and it shows how doing so can bring an organization to unfathomable success. Give Your Team a Chance to Thrive ‘THE FEARLESS ORGANIZATION’ The automatic pan stirrer is a three-pronged device that sits upright in your pot or pan. By way of a small, battery-powered motor on top of the unit, the arms will consistently stir your concoction without you having to do anything other than set the timer and walk away. If your dish calls for extended simmering and stirring on low-heat to achieve impressively complex flavors, then the Uncommon Goods’ automatic stirrer is exactly the time (and arm) saver you need. Now you can have a productive day and a delicious meal at the end of it.
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Are You Truly Protected Against Cyberattacks? PAGE 1 6 Ways to Avoid Fraud AZCOMP Employee Spotlight PAGE 2 A Production Company for Progress Your Dish Can Stir Itself AZCOMP Leadership Library PAGE 3 Why We Follow Eddie PAGE 4
By Mark BRAVING THE BIGGEST WAVES
AZCOMP has a lot of uniquely phrased core values, one of which is certainly: “We go where Eddie would go.” To those outside the AZCOMP team, this value may need a little more explanation than others. “Eddie” refers to the famous lifeguard and surfer Eddie Aikau. He was born in 1946 in Maui and was hired as the first lifeguard to work the North Shore of Honolulu and patrol an area of nearly six miles, which could take up to two hours to complete from one end to the other. But during his tenure, not one life was lost. Eddie rescued hundreds of swimmers on that beach, sometimes braving waves towering over 30 feet. When he wasn’t rescuing people, he was showing his mastery of the water by winning surfing awards. In 1978, Eddie joined a crew set to sail 2,500 miles along an ancient Polynesian route. Their canoe sprung a leak and capsized miles away from the nearest island, so Eddie immediately grabbed his
board and paddled away to get help. That was the last anyone saw of him, but the crew was eventually rescued by the Coast Guard. So, why do we say, “We go where Eddie would go”? Because Eddie would go where the largest waves were. Eddie would go where people needed help. Eddie would go wherever someone needed him to be. We follow Eddie because he wasn’t afraid to brave choppy waters if it meant helping others. AZCOMP is in a unique position to be able to paddle out to those waves where people need help. Whether it’s a client with a problem to solve or a teammate who needs some help, we go above and beyond to offer our assistance because we can, and therefore, we should. There’s a popular saying that goes, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf.” Everyone has waves in their lives — waves they’re trying to surf. At AZCOMP, our goal is to help people face those waves with a steady board.
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