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OCTOBER 2018
Empowering Small Practices to Deliver the Best Care
IT
RANSOMWARE CAN TAKE DOWN A CITY And Your Business, If You’re Not Careful
If there was an award for “Cyberattack of the Year,” 2018’s would have to go to ransomware. According to the 2018 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, the use of ransomware has exploded, while other attacks like malware and hacking breaches have decreased. With ransomware increasing in popularity, it’s best to be prepared to defend against and counter these attacks. Otherwise, you could end up with egg on your face. That’s exactly what happened to the city of Atlanta in March of this year, when their network was penetrated by a ransomware attack demanding $50,000 in Bitcoin. Not long after the ransomware attack hit, hackers took down the
secured bank or a dozen smaller ones that are much easier to hit? The choice is pretty obvious, especially when the rewards can be greater from picking off the easy targets. Now that you know the nature of the threat, it’s time to discuss how you can stop it. Proper protection involves robust defense mechanisms, diligent employee training, and plenty of precaution. On the defense side, strong antivirus software and firewalls will serve as a deterrent to hackers. Only the most advanced cybercriminals are up for a challenge. The vast majority will move on to their next target if they encounter any resistance.
payment portal, meaning the city couldn’t pay the ransom if they wanted to. Instead, they were left to restore basic functions of city programs on their own. In just two short weeks, the breach had cost the city $2.6 million. Even worse, that figure is expected to rise to near $10 million by the end of the year. Ransomware attacks are aimed at countless small businesses every day, so you need to be on the lookout, even if you’re not a major corporation or in one of
There’s no impenetrable defense, however, because the vast majority of ransomware attacks are the result of phishing emails sent to employees. It’s very important to remind your employees to never click on unsolicited links found in emails, text messages, or any other form of digital communication. You can even text your team with mock phishing emails and see who takes the bait. Poorly trained staff can leave you vulnerable, but well-trained staff will be a valuable weapon in your protection arsenal. If an attack does happen, you’ll want to have up-to-date, working backups on hand. Ransomware doesn’t corrupt your data; it just locks you out of it. The assailants are hoping you
“One of the reasons ransomware attacks are so popular is that they allow cybercriminals to cast a wide net. The same piece of software can be sent to dozens of unsuspecting companies, maybe hiding in a phishing email or social media post, infecting the computer of anyone who clicks.”
the 10 biggest cities in the country. One of the reasons ransomware attacks are so popular is that they allow cybercriminals to cast a wide net. The same piece of software can be sent to dozens of unsuspecting companies, maybe hiding in a phishing email or social media post, infecting the computer of anyone who clicks. While the biggest cases will always make the headlines, hackers’ favorite targets are small businesses with minimal protection — people who have no other option than to pay the ransom. Think about it this way: Would a thief rather rob one, giant, heavily
have no option but to pay to get your information back. When you have a set of backups ready to go, you won’t even have to entertain that possibility. Above all, you need a dedicated team of professionals monitoring your network and watching out for risks 24/7. Managed IT services, like the kind we provide at AZCOMP, work to seal up all the holes in your digital security. And if a problem does arise, you can bet we’ll tackle it head-on. - Byron Adams
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The easiest way to avoid this catastrophic scenario is to test your backups regularly. Whether you use a cloud backup tool, backup and disaster recovery (BDR) server, or something similar, testing is important. When it comes to your precious data, you should heed that old adage about what happens when you assume. Testing your backups begins with doing a spot check. To perform one, run the same query on both your regular and backup server. Ideally, the results should match up. After a successful spot check, you should run a larger mock recovery. Sure, a few files worked, but will an entire application or directory? It might seem time-intensive and unnecessary right now, but if you ever need to rely on your backups, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars. You cannot simply test your backups once, either. It should be a regular practice, the same way that creating backups is. The difference is that you can probably automate the backup process, but you’ll always want to test manually. YOU WON’T KNOW YOUR BACKUPS WORK Unless You Take the Time to Test Them
Backing up your servers and files is one of the fundamental tenets of smart cybersecurity practice. The viability of your network and data are inextricably linked to the success and stability of your business. With so much riding on your server’s health, it’s foolish to forego backing up all of your data regularly. However, simply creating back- ups and thinking they’ll work when the time comes is not enough. It can be just as catastrophic as not having backups at all. Imagine the following scenario. One day, you come into work and everyone is in a panic. Your network has been subject to a ransomware attack and you can’t access anything on your server. “No problem,” you tell your staff. “That’s why we back everything up.” Then you go to access your backups, only to realize that the files aren’t working properly. All of a sudden, you’re in deep trouble.
You already know that having backups is a life jacket when your data is drowning. Now you just need to make sure your life jacket works.
NEED NETWORKING OR COMPUTER HELP?
SPOTLIGHT ON RYAN TRACY Ryan Tracy joined AZCOMP as an account manager in April and it hasn’t taken him long to establish
Call our direct support line: (480) 730-3055 Create a support ticket via email: ithelp@azcomp.com
himself as an integral member of our team. He credits his fast start to the support he received from his coworkers. “Everyone at AZCOMP is amazing and the culture is beyond compare,” Ryan says. “There’s no other company I’d rather work for.”
Learn more about how to get unlimited computer and networking support at azcompit.com. DOWNLOAD OUR FREE REPORT
Protect Your Data What every small business owner must know about protecting & preserving their
In his role, Ryan provides advice to our clients about their services and systems. “It’s amazing to be able to help small practices run more efficiently,” he notes. “Anything I can do to help them allows them to devote more energy to what really matters: helping their patients.” Outside of work, Ryan, a former tennis coach, is enjoying playing the sport competitively again. “Now that tennis is no longer my job, I’m able to enjoy playing a lot more,” he reveals.
“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, your network will be at risk.
company’s critical data & computer systems!
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“I plan to be at AZCOMP for many years to come,” Ryan adds. “When you find the right fit, there’s no use looking elsewhere.”
This report is available for free at azcompit.com/protect. Download it today to ensure that your computer systems are as secure as possible. With this report, you can have peace of mind knowing that you can enjoy the fall without worrying about the safety of your network and data.
Well, Ryan, we can certainly say the feelings are mutual. We are honored to have you on our team.
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THE WHISTLE 3 Humans rely on GPS on a daily basis. Whether you’re looking up directions or watching your Uber Eats driver make his way to your home, it helps to be connected to an up-to-the-minute map and location system. And yet, despite the prominence of GPS in our lives, most people have no idea where their pets run off to. We’ve all had those moments of stone-cold panic upon discovering your pet has disappeared. With the Whistle 3, you’ll never have to feel that nervous tingle of uncertainty again. The Whistle 3 is a tiny GPS unit designed to attach to your pet’s collar. It comes with an attendant app — which requires a monthly subscription to use — that allows you to instantly check on the location of your pet. A GPS and Fitbit for Your Pets
THE SWEET SUCCESS OF SUGARFINA THE COMPANY HELPING CANDY GROW UP When Rosie O’Neill signed up for Match.com, she wasn’t looking for a business partner. However, when she met her husband, Josh Resnick, in 2010, it was clear that their relationship could succeed on both a romantic and entrepreneurial level. “Josh took me to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on our third date,” O’Neill recalls, “We both loved that movie as little kids, but we said to each other, ‘Where did the magic go around candy?’” From that conversation, the seed that would grow into the fastest-growing confection company in the country was planted. After much research and discussion, the couple founded Sugarfina in 2012 with the idea of selling gourmet candy targeted at adult foodies. “We’re on a mission to reinvent the candy category, which has become stagnant and kind of gross!” O’Neill says. Everything about the brand’s values speaks to their desire to be different. While most candy stores are garish and cluttered, Sugarfina outposts feel more like boutiques. The products, including the famous Champagne Bears, exude tasteful sophistication, like the candy equivalent of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Even the company’s packaging, which includes a take on bento boxes, is designed to appeal to young adults and Instagram users. With such a unique, appealing approach, it’s no wonder that the company now has 36 storefronts and a partnership with Nordstrom. A simple idea well-executed will always be a recipe for success, but that’s doubly true when that idea targets an underserved market. O’Neill and Resnick began with a dream — “gourmet sweets made with premium ingredients” — and figured out how to create a brand that expressed those values down to the tiniest details. A few short years later, they are now reaping the sweet rewards. When you’re at the grocery store or pharmacy stocking up on treats to hand out to the kiddos this Halloween, don’t forget about yourself. Sugarfina’s products aren’t fodder for trick-or-treaters, but they’re definitely something you can snack on while you wait at the door.
The features don’t stop there, though. Using your home Wi-Fi, you can create a safe zone. Whenever your pet leaves that zone, you’ll receive an alert on your phone. You can also create custom safe zones for places you regularly visit with your furry friend. On top that, the Whistle 3 also tracks your pet’s daily activity levels, just like your Fitbit does for you.
At only $79, the Whistle 3 more than pays for itself in the form of peace of mind.
JEFF HADEN’S ‘ THE MOTIVATION MYTH’ Will Upend Your Idea of Performance
A lot of self-improvement gurus would have you believe that motivation works like a switch. Once you know how to flip it, they’ll tell you, there’s no limit to the success you can achieve. Inc. magazine editor and author Jeff Haden was told the same, only to realize he was being lied to.
“I was in the grip of an insidious myth,” Haden writes in “The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win.” “I thought motivation was a prerequisite to start a tedious learning process — a spark necessary to get me going. But motivation is really a result.” Haden posits that motivation results from success, not vice versa. When we feel ourselves progressing, even in small steps, it gives us the energy and confidence to keep going. “That’s why motivation isn’t something you have ,” Haden stresses. “Motivation is something you get from yourself, from feeling good about achieving small successes.” Throughout the book, Haden deploys examples of how motivation works in practice, drawing from every walk of life and every level of performance. “The Motivation Myth” is the perfect antidote to the dime-a-dozen self-help books on the shelves. If you want to help your team feel motivated and successful in equal measure, pick up a copy today.
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Don’t Let Your Network Get Held for Ransom PAGE 1 The Importance of Testing Backups PAGE 2 Meet Ryan Tracy PAGE 2 Sugarfina Proves Candy Isn’t Just for Kids PAGE 3 The Best Pet Tracker on the Market PAGE 3 AZCOMP Leadership Library: The Motivation Myth PAGE 3 Cliff Young’s Passion and Determination PAGE 4
CLIFF YOUNG: A KINDRED SPIRIT OF EDDIE AIKAU BY JANA
When organizers created the Westfield Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon in 1983, they expected to attract elite endurance athletes from all over the globe to take part in the 566-mile race. Five of the inaugural competitors fit that bill, but the sixth and final most definitely did not. His name was Cliff Young, a 61-year-old farmer, and he not only won the race, but also established himself as an Australian folk hero. Young showed up to the race in overalls and work boots, much to the amusement of onlookers. Their muffled laughter turned to tears of joy as Cliff, who was well behind the pack after the first day of
racing, overtook the field while they were sleeping. As it became clear that Young was actually going to win the race, the media flocked to cover the story. By the time he reached the finish line, he had dozens of fans cheering him on. Cliff, as you might expect, was less than animated about the whole thing. He credited his success and determination to having to wrangle sheep as a boy. In fact, he told reporters, “Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I’d catch them all.” Obviously, those skills came in handy during the ultramarathon. When Cliff was awarded $10,000 for winning, a prize he was unaware of, he decided he didn’t need the money and divided it among the other five racers. “I’m just an ordinary guy who wanted to achieve extraordinary things,” he later said. As I read Cliff’s unbelievable story, I couldn’t help but think of the man for whom one of our core values is named: Eddie Aikau. Eddie was passionate and determined about using his skill as a surfer to save lives and preserve a culture. That’s why we say, “We Go Where Eddie Would Go.” I don’t know if Cliff Young ever heard of Eddie during his lifetime, but I think it’s safe to say they were brothers on opposite sides of the world.
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