As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re reflecting on the importance of being prepared and resilient in business. This month’s newsletter covers ways to safeguard your operations and make the most of your time. We’ll explain why RPO (Recovery Point Objective) and RTO (Recovery Time Objective) are essential steps in keeping your business safe if something goes wrong. Plus, we’ll explore how a good night’s sleep impacts productivity, why video conferencing can help you reclaim valuable time, and how to stay secure from rising cyber threats. These tips are here to help you focus on what matters most—your goals and peace of mind this holiday season.
We understand that not everyone loves technology as much as we do. As a Managed IT Services Provider, we are committed to providing practical and useful tips to help make your business more efficient and profitable through the intelligent use of technical solutions!
As Thanksgiving rolls around, we’re all taking time to reflect on what we’re thankful for.
At ITS, we’re especially thankful for the technology solutions that help keep businesses like yours running smoothly, even when things don’t go as planned.
Today, we want to spotlight two terms that are essential to staying operational during an IT disruption: Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO).
So, what do RPO and RTO mean? And why should they matter to you as a business owner?
Imagine a scenario where an unexpected outage disrupts your business. Without a clear RPO and RTO, it’s hard to know how much data you’ll lose or how long your systems will be down. With defined RPO and RTO, you have a roadmap, knowing how often to back up data and how quickly you need things running again. This planning doesn’t just protect your data but also minimizes downtime and helps you keep serving your customers smoothly.
During this season of gratitude, remember that having RPO and RTO in place means your business is prepared for whatever comes. When downtime threatens, these objectives become your best defense.
This Thanksgiving, be grateful for the peace of mind that comes from knowing your business is ready to bounce back, no matter what.
If you’d like to review or adjust your RPO and RTO settings,
our team at Intelligent Technical Solutions is here to help.
Let’s make sure your business has a game plan you can count on.
This Thanksgiving, as we reflect on what we’re grateful for, there’s one essential element that often goes overlooked in business: cybersecurity.
Recent insights from the *2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) underscore why staying secure is something we should all appreciate.
*For more insights from the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, click here to explore.
Let’s take a closer look at this year’s findings and what they mean for businesses like yours.
1. Vulnerability Exploits on the Rise
A striking 180% increase in breaches from exploited software vulnerabilities means that businesses relying on outdated or unpatched systems face more risks than ever. Many of these attacks evolve from widely used software, where hackers can gain entry simply by finding weaknesses in outdated versions. Protecting your business means updating and patching software consistently—without delay.
2. Ransomware and Extortion Continue to Evolve
With nearly one-third of all breaches involving ransomware or extortion, hackers are targeting organizations at all levels, including those with valuable data. Interestingly, “extortion-only” attacks—where hackers don’t use ransomware but still demand payment to prevent data exposure—have increased to 9% of breaches. A robust backup strategy and response plan are critical, helping you avoid succumbing to these costly demands.
3. Human Error: A Key Vulnerability
The human factor remains the primary cause of cyber breaches, contributing to 68% of incidents. From phishing scams to accidental data exposure, small mistakes can lead to significant security risks. And hackers are quick to exploit these—phishing links get clicks within 21 seconds on average. Regular security awareness training for your team can reduce these risks, building a workforce that knows what to watch out for.
4. Supply Chain Attacks on the Rise
With a 68% jump in third-party vendor breaches, businesses need to re-evaluate how they interact with their supply chain. Whether it's vendors, contractors, or other partners, third-party access can create security gaps. Conducting vendor risk assessments and ensuring partners meet security standards can protect your organization from these vulnerabilities.
5. The Cost of Cybersecurity Incidents
Cybersecurity breaches aren’t just a headache; they’re a significant financial burden. The report shows that ransomware complaints cost an average of $46,000 per incident, with ransom demands ranging up to 8.3% of a company’s revenue. These staggering numbers highlight why proactive security measures are a wise investment.
Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, but the good news is that with awareness and preparedness, businesses can avoid being a statistic.
At ITS, we work hard to help our clients stay a step ahead of these threats so they can focus on their goals with peace of mind.
This Thanksgiving, as you gather with family and friends, remember that being proactive about security helps keep your business—and your hard work—safe.
If you’re ready to enhance your cybersecurity and give your team peace of mind, our team at Intelligent Technical Solutions is here to help.
Discover how tools like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet can help you connect with clients and staff from anywhere, saving travel time and freeing you up to focus on growth or family priorities this holiday season. Plus, check out our top tips to make every video call productive and enjoyable!
For busy executives and team members, the hours spent traveling to meetings can add up, leaving little time for strategic planning, growth initiatives, or even quality family time.
This Thanksgiving, let’s look at how video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet can give you back that precious time and make remote meetings not just possible, but productive and enjoyable.
With video conferencing, connecting with clients and team members is as easy as clicking a link. No commute, no traffic, and no extra expenses on travel. Instead, you can shift that saved time toward what really matters—growing your business, focusing on high-level decisions, or spending more quality time with your family.
To make the most of these tools, here are a few tips that can help you host virtual meetings your team and clients will appreciate:
This Thanksgiving, consider the time you’ll win back with virtual meetings as a gift. Video conferencing allows you to maintain strong connections with clients and staff from anywhere, cutting down on travel and freeing up time to focus on what matters most.
So, the next time you schedule a virtual meeting, remember to be grateful for the extra hours you’ve gained!
Did you know that poor sleep can cost companies billions? A recent study found that sleep deprivation results in $136 billion in lost productivity every year in the U.S. alone. Why? Because a lack of sleep affects everyone’s focus, decision-making, and even safety.
Let’s explore why prioritizing sleep could be one of the smartest moves for your business. Yes, we are an IT company, but we also want to talk about issues that can affect your bottom line and impact your business such as having a staff that is well rested. We would argue having IT taken care of can help you get better sleep, but we will address that on our website and in our other communications.
When leaders are sleep-deprived, they make reactive decisions rather than strategic ones. One study showed that lack of sleep slows reaction time by up to 40%, leading to poor decisions and costly mistakes. At every level, from entry-level employees to senior leadership, a tired team is an inefficient team.
Shockingly, almost 40% of employees report feeling fatigued on the job, and that number only rises during busy seasons.
It’s not just productivity that’s at risk. The National Safety Council found that people working with less than seven hours of sleep are three times more likely to have a workplace accident. In safety-sensitive jobs, like those operating machinery or handling sensitive data, this risk can lead to dangerous—and expensive—outcomes.
Sleep loss also leads to higher healthcare costs for employers, with sleep-deprived employees facing increased risks of heart disease, depression, and burnout.
Studies estimate that healthcare expenses for sleep-deprived workers are over 20% higher than for those who get adequate rest.
The solution? Building a culture that values rest and supports healthy work-life balance. Encourage policies that respect personal time, and set an example by prioritizing sleep yourself. Companies that prioritize employee well-being through balanced schedules see higher retention, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
This Thanksgiving, consider making sleep a priority—not just for yourself, but for your team. A well-rested business is a resilient business,
ready to handle whatever challenges lie ahead.
December 12, 2024, Thursday, 11:00 AM PT | 2:00 PM ET
Remote work has significantly transformed the workplace, bringing both flexibility and new challenges. One of the major challenges is the increased cyber risks that organizations face in this new environment.
To address these concerns, we invite you to join us on December 12th for our upcoming webinar, “Strengthening Defenses: Best Practices for Securing Remote Work.” During this session, we will discuss essential strategies for protecting remote operations and share insights on how the ITS team can support your organization in maintaining security. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your remote work security practices!
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