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Casserly Consulting Blog

Three Give-Aways that Your Security Approach Needs a Change

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It only makes sense that you would want only the best security for your organization. It’s natural to want to eliminate risk entirely. However, this simply is not a realistic viewpoint to take where your security is concerned, and it can even contribute to greater security issues as a company holds out for the best solution.

This is no way to do business, but it can be hard to identify if you, yourself, are actually trying to bite off more than you can chew. To help, here are three signs that you are actually hurting your company and its security by trying too much and focusing on the wrong things.

1. Setting Standards Too High
Of course there needs to be organizational standards where security is concerned. However, it is important to recognize that ‘perfection’ simply isn’t going to be attainable. Many companies will be committed to their ideal vision of a solution to the point that, until that golden standard is found in reality, they won’t implement what is seen as an inferior option, leaving themselves completely vulnerable. What’s worse, some of these companies will actively find issues with an entirely workable solution, prolonging the process.

This can have the added ill effect of creating organizational paralysis among the workforce. Operational paralysis is simply the lack of movement toward change, improvement, and advancement in a business, due to an impression among the staff that any action will ultimately fail. This makes it particularly difficult to enact any change, whether it’s to your security or otherwise, as your staff will not be motivated to stick to it.

2. Waiting For The Perfect Storm
Many business owners have the tendency to find any reason to wait before starting a project of any kind, including a security initiative. They might want more data to support their proposed strategy, or want another project to be wrapped and put to bed, or want more money or time to commit to it. Any of these reasons may keep them from acting, or from even entertaining an idea.

The thing is, there will never be the perfect time to start a project, and something or other will always be there to get in the way and create friction. However, when it concerns something as important as security, you need to get something workable in place before the worst happens. After all, you can always continue to improve upon things.

3. Lack of Priorities
Again, it is only natural to want to be prepared for everything, but this too often translates into a company spreading themselves thin and not really being prepared for anything. Furthermore, there may just not be the resources available to reinforce a company against all threats at once. In cases like these, it is only too easy to overestimate the risk of some events. To counter this, there needs to be a frank and pragmatic look at your particular situation.

For example, a business located in a dry, arid area is far more likely to experience a fire than they are a flood. Therefore, it statistically makes more sense to prepare for a fire first, and wait until a little later to make the preparations for the flood. Weighing your security risks should follow the same process, which requires a resistance to the knee-jerk reaction to fix everything immediately.

While maintaining your IT security is obviously an important task, it is equally important to strategize your approach to this maintenance. COMPANYNAME can help you handle it. Call PHONENUMBER for more information today.

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Tech Term: Modems and Routers Defined

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The Internet is an amazing tool, only bolstered by our ability to access it wirelessly – but what do you know about the devices that allow us to access it, namely, modems and routers? Do you know what each does? For today’s tech term, we’ll dive into exactly that.

First, it is important to understand that these devices serve two different purposes, each critical to the end goal. By working together, the modem and the router create a usable network for you to leverage.

What Does a Modem Do?
A modem is what actually connects your local network to your Internet service provider, and therefore, the Internet. It allows information to pass over without any kind of filtering.

What Does a Router Do?
Your router is what bridges the gaps between the devices on your network and the Internet through either a wired or wireless connection. It also features protections like firewalls to thwart potential threats coming in from the Internet.

Despite this, it may not be entirely necessary for you to include a router, especially if you only want a particular device to have Internet access.

Combination Options
There is also the option to consolidate these two devices into a single one, although this doesn’t fit everyone’s needs. Using a modem/router combination limits what you can do with your network, and if your 2-in-1 device dies or is damaged, you lose all of your networking capability. Alternatively, a malfunctioning modem or router can be swapped out and replaced relatively easily, with less of a capital investment.

COMPANYNAME can assist you in setting up a network that meets your business’ needs optimally. Call us at PHONENUMBER for more information.

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Using a QR Code to Log In

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Passwords are still an incredibly valuable part of security, but it’s becoming quite difficult to maximize network security through passwords alone. Even if you somehow manage to sell the idea of network security to your staff, whether or not they follow through is another thing entirely. It’s critical that you make it as easy as possible for your employees to stay secure, and that’s where scannable QR codes come in.

Why QR Codes?
By using a QR code to connect to your business’ wireless network, you can improve security. There are several benefits to this approach compared to the traditional alphanumeric password. An alphanumeric password can’t be shared as easily as a QR code, and the last thing you want to do is share your specific Internet access credentials. The real kicker is that a QR code makes things much easier on the side of the end-user. Instead of using a touchscreen to plug in a PIN or password, you can simply use the right app on your mobile device to take a picture of a QR code. It’s a great way for businesses to allow guests access to a wireless network without carelessly handing out credentials.

How to Use a QR Code
If you want to use a QR code to access the Internet, you will need to have a system in place that generates a code. You can use any of various websites or applications that create QR codes for whatever network that you want to connect to, as well as its password. You’ll also want to review any terms of service or other policies before making sure that you want to share this information for any reason.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to download the end result. You now have an easy way to access your Internet without creating a security risk for yourself. Do you have any other security concerns that need addressing? COMPANYNAME wants to help. To learn more, reach out to us at PHONENUMBER.