Risk Management

Our lives are filled with risk every day. So much so in fact that there are entire industries & organizations dedicated to risk management, & safety. The same is true for your business. Everyday businesses face risk from fire, natural disasters, theft, disgruntled employees, cyber-attacks, & more. MSP’s like Nextgen Solutions can help you plan, prevent, & respond to these & other threats that businesses like yours experience daily.

The Stats

Small businesses Make up 43% of all breaches

From small business owners to the general public, most people believe that large corporations, & government entities are the primary target of cyber-attacks. The reality is that most large organizations, regardless of type, have hardened themselves to this kind of attack, making them no longer an ideal target.

Cyber criminals are looking for targets of opportunity that are low risk with relatively high payout. Since most small businesses have no cyber security budget or plan in place, this Makes them ideal targets.

Cyber-attacks are costing small businesses $3 million per incident on average

Any business with less than 500 employees is generally considered to be a small business. Of these small businesses, 51% of their owners will pay the ransom, 24% will have to pay it out of pocket, with only 27% being covered by cyber security insurance. To make matters worse 1 in 5 who pay the ransom will not get their data back.

60% of small businesses close within 6 Mo. of a cyber-attack

Cyber-attacks & data loss are costly both in the terms of finances & reputation. The impact of these costs has proven to be so steep that most small businesses cannot weather the storm & close their doors for good.

40% of attacks result the loss of business-critical data

Business critical data can be defined as financial, business proprietary, customer information, customer proprietary, as well as any other data that a business would not be able to function without. This data is essential to the operations of the business and its continued success. Losing access to this data can have severe consequences, including financial loss, loss of customer trust, and even the closure of the business.

Additional Risk Stats:

  • According to a report by the Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is projected to cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021.
  • A study by the Ponemon Institute found that the average cost of a data breach for a small business is $3.86 million.
  • A survey by the National Cyber Security Alliance found that 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyber-attack are out of business within six months of the incident.

How can Nextgen help manage risk?

Nextgen Solutions delivers services, such as network, application, infrastructure, and security, via ongoing and regular support and active administration on customers’ premises, remote, or through hosting.

Our team of experts can help you identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, and develop a plan to mitigate them. We offer a variety of services, including:

  • Cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing: We can simulate a real-world attack on your system to identify vulnerabilities and help you implement measures to prevent them.
  • Managed firewall and intrusion detection/prevention: Our team can manage your firewall and intrusion detection/prevention systems to ensure they are always up-to-date and working correctly.
  • Data backup and recovery: We can help you develop a robust data backup and recovery plan to ensure that you can recover your data in the event of a disaster.
  • Employee training: We can provide training for your employees on how to identify and prevent cyber-attacks, as well as how to respond in the event of an attack.
  • Compliance: We can help you meet regulatory compliance requirements and ensure that you are protected from data breaches and other cyber threats.
  • Vulnerability management: We can help you identify and prioritize vulnerabilities in your IT environment and develop a plan to mitigate

Concluding Thoughts

The threats and risks that businesses face today are numerous and constantly evolving. Small businesses, in particular, are vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to their lack of resources and cyber security budget. The financial and reputational impact of cyber-attacks and data loss can be devastating, with 60% of small businesses closing within six months of a cyber-attack.

Nextgen Solutions offers a range of services that can help businesses manage these risks. Our team of experts can help you identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, develop a plan to mitigate them, and provide ongoing support and active administration. From cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing to managed firewall and intrusion detection/prevention, data backup and recovery, employee training, and compliance, we have the expertise and resources to help your business stay secure.

Don’t wait for a cyber-attack to happen, take proactive steps to protect your business today. Partner with Nextgen Solutions, and let us help you navigate the complex world of risk management and cyber security.

10 Goals That Should Be on Your Technology Planning List

Technology planning is at the heart of a strong business strategy for managing ongoing tasks that will ultimately foster success. Regardless of what your company does or who your audience is, it’s important to know how technology can benefit your customers by helping employees do their jobs effectively. To get started, here’s a list of 10 goals for creating or improving your systems.

10 Goals That Should Be on Your Technology Planning List

1. Audit Existing Systems To Begin Technology Planning

Having a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and what’s working or not is a major first step when deciding on future technologies. As part of your preparation, conduct an audit of current systems, hardware, and software to figure out strengths and areas of opportunity.

2. Consider Who Will Use New Systems & Establish KPIs

It’s vital to think about who will use new systems and how so that you can set up key performance indicators for them and know when you’re reaching goals or need to adjust your approach. This will also save time and money which you can’t afford to lose by avoiding costly mistakes in software choices.

3. Determine the Best Features & Settings for Your Business

When creating a new technology system for your business, it’s a good idea to figure out which features and settings will be best for your process. Doing so can help you save money, maximize productivity, and personalize new software for the company’s needs.

4. Budget Financial Costs & What Hardware Will Be Required

One of the most important goals is to make sure that you have your financial costs under control. When purchasing new hardware, it’s imperative that you include both up-front costs and maintenance costs for IT support in your spending budget.

5. Research Best Practices for Success & Plan SMART Goals

If you’re wondering how to set goals for your company, research best practices for technology and create plans using SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). For example, one goal might be to increase revenue by 10% over 12 months.

6. Outline a Plan of Action for Implementing the New Technology

To make sure that your business gets the most out of its new technology, you’ll need to outline a plan of action for how you’re going to carry it out. Figure out who will be responsible for each step and map out a timeline so everyone stays on task and knows what needs to be done when.

7. Form a Team To Manage the Setup Process & Train Employees

You’ll also want to form a team to manage and train employees who will use and keep up with your new software. Training should include not only how to use specific features, but also how technology fits into an overall business strategy.

The best way to keep employees engaged is by clearly communicating why they need to know what they’re learning, along with regular progress updates so everyone stays motivated.

8. Update or Upgrade Existing Software & Confirm Compatibility

There’s nothing worse than spending time, money, and resources to install a new software program only to find out it doesn’t play well with your current programs. Check all documentation carefully and be sure to update or upgrade any existing software you now use before installing anything new.

9. Create Plans for Backing Up Data, Monitoring Updates, & Security

Be sure to plan for potential problems with your technology. Include plans for backing up data, monitoring future software updates, and keeping up with or reporting security issues. These items should be discussed in detail so you have a contingency in place in case of unexpected problems or system failures.

10. Decide on Employee Policies & Procedures for All Company IT

Once you have all of your technology in place, create steps for each process and rules of conduct so employees know how to best use software and what not to do. Avoid potential misuse problems by clearly outlining expectations.

For example, remind employees that phones are only used for business purposes only during work hours, and they should not use office software for private matters.

Are you ready to start setting up a plan for improving your office technology, business processes, and IT infrastructure? Reach out to us at Nextgen Solutions Inc. to learn how our services can amplify your success. Remember, ensuring your company’s future prosperity starts with preparing for it today.