Coleman Technologies Blog

Let’s start with where we are now. History is best told on a timeline, so let’s start from the present. Cybercrime today is profiting over $1.5 trillion each year, and that figure continues to climb. Some have predicted that this figure will nearly quadruple by 2021. Security breaches are up by 67 percent over just the past five years.  

How is this figure climbing so quickly? Well, let’s examine the most popular form of cybercrime: phishing. The method that cybercriminals are using are able to deploy all types of malware, yet also has data-stealing abilities. Whether that data is your sensitive personal information, or login credentials to your bank account, phishing gives a cybercriminal direct access. The worst part for people who have fallen victim, is until something dramatic happens, they are clueless that they have even become a victim. Phishing attacks have led to billions of records being exposed, stolen, or corrupted each year.

Cybercrime has become a real concern for all business owners. So how did all of this start?

The Beginning 

This information Coleman Technologies is about to reveal may be hard to believe, but cybercrime was Bob’s fault. This trillion-dollar criminal trend is the result of a research project held by a man named Bob Thomas. Bob Thomas made the observation that a program is able to move across a computer network, leaving a trail behind. He then proceeded to write a code that was named “Creeper”. This code resulted in a program that was designed to travel between Tenex terminals on the ARPANET. The message that came across? “I’M THE CREEPER : CATCH ME IF YOU CAN”. 

The research project sparked the attention of email inventor Ray Tomlinson. Tomlinson altered this program into a self-replicating one. This resulted in the first computer worm. Immediately after this discovery, he wrote an additional code which was titled “Reaper”. This chased down the Creeper code, and deleted it; which resulted in what was effectively the first antivirus software. 

So how did Bob’s experiment start all of this? Well, in the 1980s Soviet hackers considered the applications of this experiment. Academics designed applications that could be used to infiltrate other networks. This ideology quickly spread, and in 1986 German hacker Marcus Hess hacked into an internet gateway which was hosted at the University of California at Berkeley. This hacked connection was then used to piggyback onto the ARPANET. He hacked into a total of 400 computers, including mainframes hosted at the pentagon. 

How did this turn into such a profitable “business”? Hess planned on selling the secrets found on these computers to the Soviet KGB. Before he was able to do so, he was caught by the group effort put forth by the FBI and the West German government. His conviction was the first of its kind -- cybercriminal activity sentencing. The abnormality of the case resulted in a 20-month suspended sentence. 

At the same time as this was occurring, computer viruses started to become a serious threat. With the exponential growth of the internet, there were more connections that viruses could infect. The virus started to become a real problem.

The Middle

In 1988, Robert Morris woke up and decided he wanted to see just how big the internet had become. Morris, a software engineering student at Cornell University, wrote a program designed to spread across various networks, work themselves into Unix terminals, and begin replicating. The software replicated so quickly that it actually slowed down the early Internet, which caused major carnage. This carnage become known as “the Morris Worm”. Morris’ worm resulted in the formation of the Computer Emergency Response Team, known as US-CERT today. Morris was the first person convicted under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). This act was introduced with the intentions to protect against unauthorized access. 

After Morris’ worm was handled, viruses began being developed at an absurd rate. The antivirus industry, which started in 1987, began to grow as a result. By the time the Internet was an accessible user-product in the 1990s, dozens of solutions were available to prevent devices from being infected. These solutions scanned the binaries on a computer, and tested them against a database of known virus-code. There were major problems with this protection method, such as the abundance of false positives. They also had a tendency to use a lot of the systems’ resources to scan for these viruses. Remember how slow dial-up used to feel? Your anti-virus could have been the culprit. 

The mid-90’s to late-2000’s were a prospering time for the world of viruses. While the figure was estimated to be a few thousand known viruses in the mid 90’s, that figure was estimated to be around five million by 2007. These different malware strains were either worms, viruses, trojan horses, or other forms. By 2014, 500,000 different types of strains were being created daily. This time truly was the malware boom. 

Who was stopping this boom? Well, nobody. Cybersecurity professionals needed to make an effort. Antivirus solutions simply couldn’t keep up, and while they might detect malware, they had a hard time preventing it. Innovations in cybersecurity developed quickly. First, endpoint protection platforms (EPP) that didn’t just scan for known code, they also scanned for code similarities. This meant that unknown viruses could be detected.

The End?

With advanced malware defeating endpoint protection regularly, it was time to further innovate cybersecurity measures. The timeline innovators had was cut short with the deployment of WannaCry. WannaCry was, at this point, the most devastating piece of malware that existed. WannaCry even shook the world of the most capable security professionals. It encrypted the data on a computer and forced the computer owner to pay in Bitcoin to regain access to these files. This deployment sparked an explosive increase in the cybersecurity industry. It was time for cybersecurity to surpass the capabilities of cybercriminals, instead of being constantly behind.

The only way anyone was able to determine if they were being infiltrated was to have a transparent network. Administrators began using endpoint threat detection and response (EDR) services to monitor their networks. This solution is still cutting edge by today’s standards. While this isn’t the end for cybersecurity, EDR services are extremely capable of keeping malware out of your network. 

If you would like to learn more about cybersecurity, or are interested in keeping your business’ data safe, call Coleman Technologies today. Our professionals can be reached by calling (604) 513-9428.

Businesses Depend on IT

There are a lot of different pieces of technology that go into a business, and like a puzzle they all need to fit together and work. So where do all of these puzzle pieces come from? Let’s examine different types of technology.

Servers and Networking

Here are two scenarios, and the different methods businesses use to handle them:

Walter’s business is growing extremely quickly, but his servers are the same ones he’s been using for years. He realizes he is running low on storage space, and his increasing staff puts pressure on him to upgrade his server. Walter manages to cobb something together, hoping it will suffice for the time being. When Walter attempts to merge his servers into one slightly larger server, he misconfigured a few components resulting in downtime for his entire staff. Not only has he wasted his own time, but now he is experiencing the most expensive segment of downtime he has ever experienced. 

Jesse, on the other side of town, also is experiencing extraordinary growth. Jesse however, makes a simple phone call to his managed service provider. He is connected to a professional, who advises Jesse on server options that will sufficiently support his growing business. His managed service provider not only points him in the right direction, but also comes on site to install this new technology. Jesse knows he isn’t a tech know-it-all, so he leaves deployment of servers to the professionals. His business is ready for increased data storage that same week he decided it was time to expand. 

Workstations

Your business’ employees are only capable of what their technology can handle. When it comes time to upgrade or add additional workstations, there are a few options one can take. Let’s see how our two business owners handle these situations.

Walter, who is an impulse spur of the moment shopper, sees what he believes is a fantastic deal on eBay. He decides that these second-hand computers will be able to handle all of his employee’s programs without issue. However, upon arrival Walter notices that his computers are missing a few components. It turns out that the eBay listing was actually for five home-made computers that the builder was never able to get to operate properly, rather than complete working PCs. Overlooking the description just set him back a large amount of money, and the computer repair shop charges nearly as much as a brand new PC would have. 

Jesse, has a few empty desks he would like to fill with capable computers as well as a few new employees. He reaches out to his managed service provider to discuss which computer might fit the needs of his business. The professionals are able to use their connections to get Jesse a fantastic deal, and most importantly, the purchase of the computers comes with free installation.

Software as a Service

What good would a computer be without the necessary software? Businesses should be utilizing the latest and greatest software. There are a few different approaches a business owner can take to procure the necessary software to boost productivity within the office.

Walter knows that software can be expensive, so he decides to torrent a few versions hoping that he doesn’t get caught. Unfortunately, however, Walter is exposed as a fraud and his business is the center of attention for all things media. His business suffers massively, and he wishes he had spent a fortune on the software instead. 

Jesse too knows how expensive software can be. Unlike Walter, he once again leans on his managed service provider. They offer what is known as software-as-a-service. This service gives you all the latest and greatest software, for a low monthly cost. It’s like renting a tool, as opposed to buying it outright. Not only does this tool come with free installation as well as support, but it doesn’t set Jesse back a large sum of money. He is able to give his employees all of the programs they need to proficiently do their jobs. 

Which Experience Sounds More Enjoyable?

If you had a choice to be Jesse or Walter, which would you choose? Managed services truly offer support for all of your business needs. If you would like to learn more, reach out to our professionals by calling Coleman Technologies at (604) 513-9428 today!

As we have done throughout this series, we will compare the experience that a managed service provider is able to deliver, compared to the alternative.

Cloud Services

Brennan’s business gathers and stores a substantial amount of data, as most businesses do. His business relies heavily on this data, as he runs an organization which depends on client contacts. To store all of this data, Brennan decides to do some research and build his own server. He understands the basics, and begins work. Not only does this take up a large amount of space, it also requires an absurd amount of power to operate. This makes the office unbearably hot. Furthermore, Brennan hooks up connections incorrectly causing equipment failure. This is not covered under warranty, and the initial cost of setting up a server is astronomical. 

On the other side of the town, Dale works in the music industry. His business decides to go with managed services. Dale is quickly connected with a trustworthy, dependable cloud service. He is then able to store all of his data and applications in the space provided by this service. It only costs a minimal monthly fee in comparison to the initial cost a server build would require. 

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Let’s assume both Brennan and Dale are given the same set of circumstances. A flood causes both businesses to be completely under water. How differently will these two business owners handle this disaster?

Brennan, panic stricken, attempts to grab whatever equipment he can salvage. His business relies entirely on the information stored within his computers. He is only able to get a small number of computers operating again, and since all of his data was in-house, nearly all of it is destroyed. Brennan’s business is in some truly dire straits. 

Dale immediately begins his backup and disaster recovery plan. His plan has been tested recently, so he is confident that his entire business can operate off-site. All of his data is stored in the cloud, which means it is all accessible anywhere there is internet. Dale’s cloud service also goes the additional mile of storing his data in an additional place. This ensures that there truly is a backup, and the same disaster that causes a backup plan to be utilized does not destroy the backup data. 

Data Warehousing

The process of combining seeming less unrelated data into a singular platform is data warehousing. This process helps businesses fuel their analytics as well as their business intelligence platforms. These platforms are turning into some of the most important tools a business owner can utilize, as they provide immense value by providing decision makers a thorough knowledge base.

This processing requires a bit of computing power. In fact, it requires more computing power than Brennan’s entire home-made system is able to muster up. Since Dale utilizes managed services, he has no issues accomplishing his goals. His provider’s flexibility ensures he is able to adjust his infrastructure as needed. 

Managed IT Value - Up Next 

In the next part of our series, we will be discussing how a managed service provider can assist with IT procurement. Coleman Technologies is always available to answer any questions you may have, so give us a call at (604) 513-9428 today!

What is Consulting?

Like we’ve established, it isn’t uncommon for people to recruit an expert or a professional with the capability to assist them with a task that the person cannot do. There are many reasons that people do so: they may not have the skill to safely work on whatever process is required of them, they may lack the technical know-how to complete it. Sometimes, it is simply to ensure that something is done the right way.

Whatever the reason may be, bringing in an expert (often referred to as a consultant), is a great way to help reinforce your chances of a positive outcome.

What You Should Expect When Working with Consultants

First and foremost, the consultants you work with need to have a better grasp on their area of expertise than you do, and should be motivated to give you the value that you are looking for in a provider. Coleman Technologies qualifies as a consultant for managed services, working with businesses to ensure their information technology solutions are optimized.

As such, we are committed to using the experience and expertise that we have built up to deliver the solutions and services that our clients need to be successful. After all, the success of a managed service provider is dependent on the success of its clients, providing the motivation to deliver services that deliver the positive outcomes these businesses are looking for.

There are a variety of services we offer to help accomplish this shared goal through our consultation. If the technology you use could stand to see an upgrade, following through with us allows the decision makers we work with to take the data on their past and present IT strategies. As a result, we can make the best decisions for them that will help to cement their business’ future.

Here are some of the consulting services that we offer:

Virtual CIO

One of the biggest concerns that businesses come to us with regarding their technology is (predictably) the cost associated with their IT implementations. There are a few reasons that that they’ll do so… some are looking to upgrade, others will want to scale their technology to match their business’ growth without outpacing their budget. Whatever the reason, there is one fundamental motivation why they do so:

In essence, these companies want to make sure that their investment will provide them with the value they require (or really, demand) of it.

Working with you as your Virtual CIO, we can oversee your complete IT strategy. Our seasoned professionals will evaluate your current technology, identify which products and services will serve your needs best without breaking the bank, and work with you to strategize your approach to your IT from top to bottom. As a result, you aren’t saddled with the responsibilities to research and come to decisions - duties that you probably have neither the time nor the practical experience to take on.

Business Process Management

One of the major benefits of any business technology is the positive effect it has on efficiency. When working to streamline your processes, your in-house resources may not have the perspective to see the big picture and come up with an efficient and effective plan. An outside resource, like a managed service provider, has that needed perspective. Pair that with the experience they have in optimizing business resources, and you have a winning combination.

By working with a partner who is committed to equipping you with the processes and tools from start to finish, you can shift your productivity/waste ratio in the right direction - and the better your productivity, the higher your revenue.

Vendor Management

How much time has your business sunk, in total, into working with your vendors? How much has that cost the business? You need to keep in mind that vendors are - in most cases - effectively salesmen. Not to say this is a bad thing, but it does mean that the majority of vendors will prioritize making a sale over ensuring you get what will serve you best. However, with Coleman Technologies, you will no longer need to deal with vendors … we’ll do it for you. Anything you need, you’ll be able to call us and get it, simplifying and streamlining your procurement.

Find Out How Else We Can Help

By working with a managed service provider, a company has a simpler means of handling their crucial technology. Whenever they need a problem solved, they simply lean on their provider to see to what’s needed… whether that’s support, resource management, or a representative to speak to vendors. Coleman Technologies can be that for your business.

To learn more about our consulting services, reach out to us at (604) 513-9428 - and don’t forget to check back here on Wednesday for part four of this series!

MSP Support

The Managed Service Provider (MSP) provide an experience unlike traditional service providers’ methodology. Let’s take a look at two scenarios:

Tom is emailing his boss in regard to a company project when all of a sudden his software closes. Tom tries to re-open his email, resulting in well, no result. Tom, frustrated at his email software, spam clicks the application which causes his entire computer to freeze. He has to ask his neighbor to contact their IT department for him. Unfortunately, they are out for lunch which results in a massive amount of downtime for not only Tom but for the business itself. 

Jerry, who works for a business on the other side of town, is working on a project when he too is experiencing technical difficulties. Jerry has been working on a new business logo in his graphic design software. While opening his file, he is prompted with a message informing him that his software license is not valid. Jerry wastes no time in creating a ticket with his managed service provider. Within minutes, a technician remotes into Jerry’s computer, reconciling the issue at hand. Jerry is up and working in a timely manner. 

Time is money, so why not save yourself time with managed services? 

Onsite Support Services

Managed service providers leverage remote support simply because of how efficient it is. It doesn’t make sense for a technician to come all the way out to your business to resolve an issue that could have been resolved at their own office. However, when a situation occurs where a technician is actually required to be present, managed service providers have trained staff ready to be dispatched. 

When something goes wrong, IT support needs to be present. It isn’t cost effective to have IT support present when your infrastructure is operating as it should.

Keep Business Moving Forward

Time is a business’ most scarce resource, so why waste any of it? Every moment is valuable, so you can’t afford to sit idle waiting for IT to return back from lunch or wait for them to have a free moment. To ensure you get the most out of every second, Coleman Technologies offers managed services which can greatly benefit your business.

This is far from the end when discussing the benefits of managed services. Return back to our blog page to read part three of this series. If you would like to discuss additional support options offered with managed IT services, give us a call at (604) 513-9428.