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Accessible storage is a big deal. Often times, the success of a business can be tied to their ability to complete work efficiently; and, cloud computing has begun to give them options to not only perform tasks remotely, but also to give organizations answers to the data delivery and protection problems they?ve had in the past. A cloud file sharing platform provides the following four benefits for any organization that depends on access to data. AccessibilitySince the cloud is computing resources delivered over the Internet, the opportunity for an organization to gain the kind of accessible file sharing the cloud provides, at a price point that is extraordinarily friendly to the budgetary constraints that many businesses have, is a revelation. Essentially, the cloud has now provided remote accessibility to company files, on any device compatible with the file sharing platform that is deployed. This not only allows for access to information anywhere, it also provides an extra layer of value through collaboration. Workers can now work together on projects, from multiple locations, on multiple different devices. That kind of file and application access allows businesses to be more operationally agile, and can substantially build revenue streams where before, there was only cost. Maintenance and ProtectionAnother major benefit a hosted file sharing platform brings is redundancy. Since your file sharing system comes as a service, the provider will handle all the major management and maintenance the computing platforms used to store data need. This not only significantly reduces costs, it provides a reliable, secure, and continuously backed-up file sharing and storage platform that your organization can trust. Builds Efficiency and Saves TimeYou know the saying, ?time is money?? It?s true. For every hour your business is at work, your costs go up. By being able to access files easily via the cloud, a hosted file sharing system provides a construct to be used for operational efficiency, while still maintaining the security that every business needs from its data storage situation. The ability to access information and save it to an always-accessible storage facility speeds up tasks and promotes collaboration. Cost ReductionAs mentioned above, the public cloud is all about providing reliable and useful applications and storage. One of the biggest benefits of file sharing in the cloud is the major cost reduction that an organization can see. Traditionally, a company would have to outlay a significant amount of capital to build a file sharing platform, but with cloud computing the file sharing and storage solutions can be obtained for a scalable monthly cost. File sharing in the cloud is a great way to build a collaborative, productive workforce whether they work in your office or across the country. For more information about cloud computing and how it can work for your business, call the IT professionals at White Mountain IT Services today.

You can think of Software as a Service like renting a house. Sure, you could go all-in and buy it in one go, but it would be an immensely expensive up-front cost. In order to make it more affordable, those purchasing a home acquire a mortgage, or simply rent the home rather than attempting to purchase it outright. These smaller, more affordable payments provide shelter in a similar manner while making it more accessible for those on a limited budget. Here are four ways your business can take advantage of Software as a Service: CommunicationsCloud-hosted software solutions can be used to keep your organization connected via video or voice chat. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a perfect example. You can add new users and make changes to your service plan as your business grows, and you can access your telephone solution on any connected device with the application installed on it. Cloud-based messaging apps can also be used to similar effect. Cloud-Based EmailYour business can use software as a service for your email solution, as well. Using a cloud-based email provider like Gmail or Microsoft Outlook allows you to add or remove users to your email server quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, you can expand the service at any time to accommodate growth. Productivity SuitesThe most notable use of software as a service comes from productivity suites. You might notice how services like Microsoft Office 365 and Google?s G-Suite are designed specifically ?as a service.? In Microsoft?s case, you can purchase the entire Office suite at once, or you can purchase its individual parts. Better yet, you can pay for access to a cloud-based version of productivity software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, that is always up-to-date. This saves you plenty of money in the long run by providing continuous access to software solutions, without needing to update your license or take on additional capital expenses. VirtualizationBasically, software as a service is a great way to virtualize and turn just about any software solution into a more efficient, scalable, consumable, and affordable form. The sky’s the limit. How can your business benefit from Software as a Service offerings? To find out, reach out to White Mountain IT Services at (603) 889-0800.

In the last few months, there have been several high-profile data security breaches that resulted in the theft of millions upon millions of non-public information records. Though much of the focus in the aftermath of the breaches was on personal identity theft and prevention, it?s important to keep in mind that not all the stolen data records target individuals. Business entities are also at risk. Vendors and partners that you do business with regularly will probably have record of your company?s non-public information, payment information, or tax ID number. In the wake of the major breach of Equifax that resulted in 143 million records stolen, there have been many questions raised about data security and breach notification laws. One of the most concerning issues was the long delay between when the breach was discovered by Equifax and when the public was notified of the breach. To help clarify how data breach notifications work and why it was technically acceptable for Equifax to wait as long as they did before notifying their customers, there are a few things you should know. State LawsOnly 47 out of 50 states currently have data breach laws. Alabama and New Mexico have proposed bills regarding data security and notification that are before their state legislature. The lone holdout on data breach laws is South Dakota, who has yet to propose a bill of any kind. Since each state has its own laws on data security, there are no unified standards, and laws vary in each state. For example, New York law requires that notification of a breach should be given in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay. In Wyoming, however, notice of a breach must be reported within a reasonable time that is not to exceed 45 days after the entity learns of the acquisition of personal information. Florida requires notification within 30 days. However, these notification deadlines aren?t ironclad. Nearly all of the policies indicate that they will allow the entity to delay notification for cause. Reasons for delay vary from state to state, however, criminal investigations or national security are both common reasons that a delay in notification would be allowed. Federal Laws At the present, there are no comprehensive data breach laws on the federal level. While the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) are federally mandated regulations that do have data breach policies enforced by the federal government, they are industry-specific. There is no federal law that encompasses a general data security policy. Since Equifax is a financial institution, it?s required that they adhere to the standards set forth by the GLBA. Unfortunately for about half of American adults, the GLBA does not have a deadline for disclosure. The act merely says that the financial organization should notify the affected party ?as soon as possible?. Despite waiting 40 days before disclosing the breach, Equifax was following the regulations as outlined by the GLBA. In addition to having different notification laws for each state, other aspects of data security laws are just as diverse. Each state has different policies on who the law applies to, what constitutes a breach, who must be notified, how they must be notified, enforcement and penalties, and entities exempt from the law. Are you familiar with data breach notification […]

Have you ever used Google Maps as a GPS system to help you navigate a trip you are taking? In a lot of ways, Google Maps is even more dynamic than other dedicated online applications, and it?s certainly a better alternative than trying to decipher the lines of an atlas. Google Maps even lets you chart the distance between your location and your destination, which is a great way to get the total distance of your upcoming trip. Before we get started, we just want to make sure that you have the most up-to-date version of the Google Maps for your iOS or Android device. To do so, go to the Play store or iTunes store to update the application. First, open up your app and navigate to where you want to measure distance from. Just drop a pin on the location to find out how far it is. Next, expand the menu at the bottom and tap Measure distance. You?ll see the location in a set of crosshairs on the screen. You?ll next need to add another point–like, say, the nearest bend in the road. You?ll see the distance between the two points. For each point you place on the map, the distance between your points will be updated. Once you?ve done this, you can just tap the Measure Distance bar at the top. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the app will only tell you the distance between your destination and your current location if you drove there in a straight line. Chances are that you?re not going to be traveling in a straight line to your destination due to the lack of direct travel. You?ll be taking roads and pathways that wind around natural obstructions. Carefully place points on your map on streets you plan on driving. This will allow you to calculate the exact distance to your location. For more great tips and tricks, subscribe to White Mountain IT Services?s blog.

WPA2 has been the standard for securing a Wi-Fi access point, especially for businesses. However, WPA2 has a newly discovered flaw that allows a cybercriminal to reuse the encryption keys that are generated when a device and a router connect, which in turn allows them to intercept the data being communicated between the router and the device. This data could include credit card numbers, passwords, and any other information one would input online. Some networks could even allow data to be introduced from outside, for example, a website being infected with ransomware. Details about the vulnerability will be released on November 1st, which means there is potential that they will fall into the wrong hands if they haven?t already. This gives businesses about two weeks to make sure they are prepared. Currently, the biggest Achilles? heel is on the client-side, which means the computers, laptops, and mobile devices are the first priority to update, but network hardware such as access points and routers are important as well. Fortunately, Microsoft has already released an update to attend to this vulnerability, and Android devices will be rolling out updates during the coming weeks. Anyone running Windows 10 with automatic updates or has recently installed updates should have the fix. Other devices, including smartphones, tablets, and even your network routers and Wi-Fi access points should also be checked for updates. How to Tell if Your Business is Safe from the KRACK WPA2 Vulnerability For businesses, the most straightforward answer is if you are paying someone to monitor and maintain your entire network, they should be checking all devices to make sure they are patched to prevent this vulnerability. If you don?t have an agreement with an IT company such as White Mountain IT Services, or you don?t have someone on staff who is aware and knowledgeable about the potential threats to your network, it?s more than likely this vulnerability exists (along with many others). If you aren?t sure, reach out to us as soon as possible. White Mountain IT Services can help you keep your network patched and up-to-date. For more information, call us at (603) 889-0800.