Security software has been recently discovered to be not as safe as advertised, according to a study conducted by Concordia University in Montreal.

Mohammad Mannan, assistant professor in the Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering (CIISE), and PhD student Xavier de Carne de Carnavalet examined 14 commonly used software programs that claim to make computers safer by protecting data, blocking out viruses or shielding users from questionable content on the internet.

“While a couple of fishy ad-related products were known to behave badly in the same set-up, it’s stunning to observe that products intended to bring security and safety to users can fail as badly.”

Central to the issues is how security applications act as gatekeepers to unwanted sites by inspecting a website’s certificate (which has been issued by a Certification Authority).

Usually, browsers themselves have to check the certificate provided by a website, and verify that is has been issued by a Certification Authority. However, security products trick the computer into thinking that they are themselves a fully entitled CA, allowing them to fool browsers into trusting any certificate issued by the products.

It is important for users to keep their software up-to-date, so that they can benefit from the latest security patches.

For companies that do not have time to assess whether their security protocols are stringent enough, there are ways to make security redundant: professional IT teams.

Although in-house IT teams are expensive, having a remote monitoring program in place can catch malicious websites before they take root in your company’s network.

Concordia University. “Not so safe: Security software can put computers at risk: Concordia University research reveals pitfalls of antivirus programs and parental controls.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 May 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160504161650.htm>.

The post  Not so safe: Security software can put computers at risk. appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

As the technology field continues to develop, more and more small businesses are taking advantage of the improved technology. According to an SMB Routes to Market Study, 85% of small businesses planning to increase their technology investments are more likely to anticipate higher revenue. Here are some of the latest ways small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) are using technology to solve common problems:

1. Mobile Application

Most small businesses are constantly on the go, and do not have time to sit in front of their desktops and update information.

With the proliferation of smartphone devices, internet access is now ubiquitous. Over 94% of small business users believe mobile devices make them more efficient, said a recent report from the Mobility Edge, CDW. Smartphones are far and away the most popular device for small businesses, while tablet use is growing. Square is a mobile-payment device that attaches to a smartphone to accept credit card payments on the go.

2. Analytics

Analytics is a tool that takes measurements of your business. It helps break down marketing campaigns into bite-size chunks, as well as determine where traffic is going.

“Companies that figure out how to harness and turn data into insights most effectively will gain huge competitive advantages,” said the SMB study. There are several analytics programs that help users track web traffic.

3. Cloud Storage

Businesses that lack IT resources are turning to Cloud-based web solutions to fulfill common tech problems. 52% of small and medium-sized businesses are adopting cloud services to outsource IT tasks like data storage, said the SMB study. For instance, Apple’s iCloud allows users to backup media and personal files. Dropbox facilitates file and photo sharing across multiple devices.

4. Mobile Security

Mobile security is a growing problem, especially as most devices to not have sufficient encryption or verification technologies. Furthermore, lost and stolen devices are becoming a top mobile security concern.

Securing mobile devices with encryption or data-wiping technology prevents thieves from accessing sensitive business data. New apps allows users to remotely lock, wipe and locate their devices.

5. Web Teleconferencing

In the modern workplace, employees may be scattered all over the world; from telecommuting to far-flung locales – it’s important to have the technology to connect face to face.

Web-based teleconferencing services let large groups make video and voice connections, without special equipment, or additional hardware.

As technology continues to develop, small and medium-sized businesses will continue to benefit from the growing networks of mobile and social media connections.

The post 5 Technology Solutions That Will Ensure Business Growth | Miami Managed Service Providers appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

With South Florida’s warm weather, affordability, and proximity to Latin America are enticing tech workers to Miami. Florida also offers tax advantages; no local or state income taxes, no local corporate tax, and a reasonable corporate tax rate of 5.5 percent, one of the lowest in the nation.

“It’s exactly where we need to be, exactly the right time, and it’s the absolute perfect place for a start-up,” said Brian Brackeen, who moved from Silicon Valley to Miami to start his company, Kairos, a facial recognition software company.

However, Miami has a ways to go before it even reaches a mid-level technology hub. According to the National Venture Capital Association, Miami brought in only about $14.93 million in venture capital in 2019. Neighboring Fort Lauderdale drew in an estimated $641.9 million. San Francisco drew $15.74 billion.

Miami’s tech industry has been encouraged primarily by John S and the James L. Knight Foundation, which has funded an emergent tech ecosystem.

“If there’s great diversity, it means there’s a greater sort of collision of people with different backgrounds and ideas and biographies and experiences that will ultimately result in greater and more impactful ideas. Miami has that in a big, big way,” said Matt Haggman, program director at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting more informed and engaged communities.

Many groups have remarked that building Miami’s tech infrastructure will take patience:

“To really build Miami, it requires more investment, more infrastructure, and that just takes time,” said Bradley Harrison, managing partner at Scout Ventures. The company recently invested in LiveNinja and Rokk3r Labs.

“As we continue to build our technology-based companies and innovation here, more and more venture capital will be flowing in South Florida and in Miami in particular,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez

Although Miami looks promising, there is still an acute lack of talent. Often times, engineers and other professionals have moved elsewhere in search of areas with more job prospects. This has posed a challenge to many start-ups looking to hire.

“Miami is only in year two or three of a 25-year development cycle,” Harrison said. “I think Miami right now is looking for success stories. It’s so early in the ecosystem that until we start having success stories, it won’t really start to show the progress that we’ve made.”

The post Miami is the Most Important Tech Hub of Latin America appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

Although Managed IT services have been around for a long time, their adoption has been slow. CompTIA found that only 3-in-10 organizations had any of their IT in the hands of an MSP, says Carolyn April, senior director, Industry Analysis, at CompTIA. More than two-thirds of companies surveyed for CompTIA’s Fourth Annual Trends in Managed Services Study, however, say they have used the serviced of an outsourced IT firm within the past 12 months. South Florida is no exemption, more businesses in Miami, Aventura, Brickell, Miami Lakes, Fort Lauderdale and even Hialeah are switching to managed service provider for computer tech support and other IT services.

An MSP Can Change Your Business!

Organizations have become more familiar with managed services and are turning to them for management of particular IT functions notably, email hosting, customer relationship management (CRM) applications, storage, backup and recovery and network monitoring.

“While one-time projects account for some of these engagements, a significant portion is ongoing management of one of more IT functions by a managed services provider,” says April, who is also author of the report. “There is a much higher degree of familiarity with the term ‘managed services’ and greater adoption.”

What is a “MSPs”?

The elite MSPs are now offering managed services around big data, business intelligence (BI) and advanced application monitoring – and April says there is increasing demand in those areas – but most MSPs have yet to extend beyond their heritage in managing network infrastructure and basic software infrastructure.

“I think mobile is an area where the channel is getting some traction but they’re really not tapping the full opportunity there,” she adds.

April goes on to establish that part of the awareness problem lies as a definitional one, and when discussing software-as-a-service (SaaS), the customers (and sometimes the providers) remain unclear about what actually constitutes a managed service.

“I think the definitional issue is an enormous one,” she says. “It’s one of the things that has made it extremely difficult to market size the managed services space and determine adoption rates.”

In addition, MSPs have done a poor job of marketing their services to the greater community, April notes, although because of the recent doubling in use, they have markedly improved.

Why the Switch to MSPs

When your business is not an IT business, outsourcing your IT needs to a MSP allows you to take care of all the other aspects of your business, like, you know, running your business.

Reliability

CompTIA found that, for 56% of companies with 100+ employees and 47% of companies with fewer than 100 employees, improving the efficiency and reliability of IT operations was a main driving factor for going with an MSP. Though everyone’s issues are unique in themselves, chances are MSPs have seen a similar instance and have solved the problem before are quick to come up with solutions. This, in turn, saves time – and, as we all know, time is money.

Security

The report noted enhanced security and compliance needs was a factor for 38 percent of companies of all sizes.

Cost

For many companies, the cost to employ an in-house IT department can be prohibitive. ROI/cost savings was a reason for one-third of companies with 1—100 employees.

The Future of the IT Department

Although MSP use has surged in the past year, they have yet to replace traditional IT departments.

“Very few of these companies get rid of their IT staffs just because they join up with an MSP,” April explains. For larger companies, MSPs value lies in their ability to free up internal staff for more sophisticated in-house projects. “It elevates the IT staff and brings them out of the shadows within the organization,” she continues. “It allows them to focus on a custom app dev project or cloud initiative – something highly strategic. I think that’s a win-win for your IT staff.”

The post Why More Businesses are Choosing MSPs appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

However, as the city moves forward with its plan to collect data from thousands of sensors and use predictive analytics to measure the effectiveness of city service, the 30 people in the IT department will have to learn new skills associated with the internet of things (IoT).

Kansas City must also hire IT staffers with expertise in analytics, project management, and communications. “The IT team is a critical part of this,” said chief innovation officer Bob Bennett. “Those are the type of folks I’m looking for.”

Unfortunately, there is a mass shortage of IT professionals who are expert in analytics or data science. The IoT is a complex ecosystem, and tech workers will have to have some knowledge of every aspect of that ecosystem, says Seth Robinson, senior director of technology analysis at CompTIA.

“It’s not just about building a competent technical system that can perform a task for daily operation,” he says. “It’s about using this technology to drive forward into new areas. There has to be this knowledge of what the business is trying to do.”

Tech workers in the IoT world will expand their primary domains of infrastructure, development, security and data to include IoT-related skills, however, they will still need project management skills and business acumen, Robinson adds.

The following skills are in high demand across the IoT ecosystem:

• Cybersecurity specialists will be in even greater demand as the influx of IP-enabled devices increases vulnerabilities. The DDos Attack launched last week against Dyn will only add fuel to the demand.
• Hardware and networking. Just about any device can be equipped with a sensor that can gather, store and transmit data. Robust networks will be required to move all of that data. IT professionals who already specialize in infrastructure will need an understanding of the types of networks that have to be in place to connect IoT devices, Robinson says.
• Software and connectivity. Software is required to make the data usable, and connectivity is needed to share that data with the entire system.

“Some people are very good at a system,” Bennett says. “In an IoT environment those who are the most successful have figured out how to link multiple systems, how to link the data from them to accomplish a second or follow-on goal, and they understand how System A communicates with System B.”

• Big data. The biggest force in software is Big data. According to ComputerWorld, IT professionals will need at least a working knowledge of big data to be successful in managing IoT devices.

At GE Aviation, an IoT-oriented digital transformation has led to the creation of new positions – including chief data officer and “brilliant factory leader.” Likewise, the company’s software development initiatives require people with a broad knowledge of big data because the big data technology life cycle is just 19 to 24 months, says CIO Jude Schramm.

• Another driver of IoT projects is a desire to make better decisions, and that requires analytics to create insights out of data.

According to research conducted by LNS Research, some 60% of companies don’t have enough internal expertise to launch an IoT or analytics project. Matthew Littlefield, president and principal analyst at LNS, says the remaining 40% – those who say they do have the necessary skills – “don’t really understand how big the challenge is.”

The best option is to hire IT service professionals to help with IoT integration. Telx Computers offers premier IT services for businesses across the country. With locations in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York, our IT professionals help businesses manage their technology  applications, servers, computers, software, and more.

The post What your staff needs to know for IoT | IT Services Miami appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

As a vicious new strain of ransomware exploded across the world this month, experts cautioned that the best protection was to download a patch Microsoft had issued in March. The only problem? A reported 90 percent of NHS trusts run at least one Windows XP device, an operating system Microsoft first introduced in 2001 and hasn’t supported since 2014.

In the UK, the National Health Service disputed the 90 percent figure – though not that a significant portion of its systems run Windows XP – and was only one example of the tens of thousands of impacted computers across nearly 100 countries recently. But its meltdown illustrates the deeper problems inherent in Windows XP’s prevalence three years after its official demise.

Experts rightly said that the best protection against the ‘WannaCry’ ransomware was to patch everything, as soon as possible. But for Windows XP and other expired operating systems, the patches weren’t there in the first place. Since Microsoft no longer provides any security support for XP, it makes sense that true protection would come from having the most recent operating system.

Hackers have targeted XP for years. Its lack of defenses and persistent popularity make it a popular target. With the high risk of being attacked, it is strange that Windows XP continues to be used by millions of people.

The problem originated from Windows XP’s initial popularity. “It was one of the first Microsoft operating systems people latched onto,” says Peter Tsai, IT analyst at Spiceworks, a network for IT professionals. Not only was it one of the first stable Windows versions, the five-year gap between Windows XP and its unpopular successor, Windows Vista, resulted in an uncommonly large install base.

“A lot of smaller companies subscribe to the theory, probably wrongly now, that if it’s not broken then don’t fix it,” said Tsai. “Especially companies that aren’t prioritizing IT.” Says Tsai. “Especially companies that aren’t prioritizing IT.” Which appears to be most of them; a recent Spiceworks survey found than more than half of businesses worldwide have at least one machine running Windows XP.

Many companies have a more practical excuse than just lethargy; they may rely on specialized legacy software that simply won’t work. That may include institutions like NHS, where the process of testing new or updated versions of critical software could disrupt patient care.

But if nothing else, WannaCry makes clear that whatever time and money and disruption companies might think they’re saving by sticking with Windows XP is an illusion. If anything, the threat has been now elevated.

Protect your company from malware, ransomware, and cyber attacks with Managed It Services from Telx Computers. Telx offers the most advanced Miami IT support to help your business avoid downtime and maximize productivity. Call 305-935-3876 today for more information.

The post If You Still Use Windows XP, Watch Out! appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

Back in October 2016, United States Federal Officials approved a set of privacy rules designed to prevent large communication companies, such as Comcast, AT&T, etc., from collecting and selling out the information of individuals who are their customers. Examples of such information are browsing habits, specific websites their customers have visited, internet connected applications, etc.

These privacy rules were basically shaped to protect consumers from large Internet Service Providers. Even though the F.C.C. had already provided consumer protection rules in the past, those were shaped to rule regular phones and cable television. However, up to that point, there were no rules protecting consumers of high-speed internet products.

It is needless to say that those rules were a blow to Internet Service Providers and huge cable companies; who wouldn’t think twice about selling the private customer information that is transmitted through their networks. The rules specifically obliged ISPs to request permission from their customers every time they wanted to start tracking or recording their internet habits.

Fast forward to 2017 and the rules of the game are changing once again. On Thursday, March 23^rd, 2017 United States senators scrambled to start dismantling the internet privacy protection rules that had been established a year prior.  Allowing for future deregulation that will strip away consumers off their privacy rights. The Senate’s 50 to 48 vote on Thursday is the first step which will probably be followed by a similar decision at the House.

If the decision is finally signed by POTUS, telecommunication conglomerates will be able to continue recording and sharing their customer’s information and browsing habits without permission. This is obviously a blow to consumers.

According to lawmakers and the new chairman of the F.C.C., the previous set of rules strapped unneeded regulations on telecom carriers. Their perspective is that the regulations were unnecessary and confusing, thus hindering innovation. Telecom and broadband providers expressed satisfaction yesterday; stating that the new ruling will allow for competitive neutrality.

On the other side of the spectrum, consumer protection groups are warning that internet services consumers will suffer as a result of the changes. “Senate Republicans just made it easier for Americans’ sensitive information about their health, finances, and families to be used, shared and sold to the highest bidder without their permission,” Senator Edward J. Markey expressed after the ruling.

Visit the Telx Computers blog for the latest news and tips regarding IT support and IT services.  For information on Managed IT services in Miami or South Florida, call 305-935-3876 today or live chat with one of our representatives.

The post A Blow to Broadband Consumer’s Rights | IT Services Miami appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

Nearly every business is on the cloud these days.

Only a decade ago, most companies relied entirely on IT systems running on servers and software that lived on-site. Today, it is much harder to find a business that does not use the cloud for at least part of their IT.

By definition, cloud mean an IT system or application that lives in a remote datacenter managed by a third party provider, as opposed to residing on a server in the customer’s location.

When it’s done correctly, a cloud works wonders for a business. Cloud systems are reliable, secure and efficient. They easily scale with growing companies. Most companies we surveyed are using a cloud email service, such as Office 365 or Google Apps, both of which are great systems. However, there is so much more than email that small businesses can and should be doing in the cloud.

Cloud-Based CRM Software

Customer Relationships Management (CRM) software is used by companies large to manage their customers and prospect databases. There are numerous CRM systems that now exist in the cloud. While some of these systems are very simple and entry-level, others are more complex and require expertise for implementation. Cloud-based CRM software programs are accessible from any computer or smartphone without requiring remote viewing access or VPN software, which is valuable as many companies have distributed workforces.

Cloud-Based File Sharing

In the past, in order for a group of people to access a shared directory of files, you needed a file server. Today, there are dozens of cloud-based file sharing systems which not only replace many of the functions of a traditional file server), but also give you the ability to access your files on your mobile device, and share certain files or folders with groups outside of your company.

Cloud-Based Backup & Data Recovery

Backup and disaster recovery is often overlooked by companies – they spend time and money on the systems that solve a problem, but they often wait until it is too late to backup those very same systems. Cloud services now exist automatically back up your server and desktop data to a secure remote datacenter, and restore it to anywhere. Some of the higher-end services not only back up your files, they maintain business continuity by allowing your workforce remote working capability (in the event of an emergency).

Cloud-Based IT Security

All of our devices (computers and smartphones) are constantly connected to the Internet. We use them more and more, storing sensitive and critical data on them, and the unfortunate reality of this is that is makes them all the more appealing for hackers. IT security is more important now than it ever was, and there are great cloud options to protect your business on many levels, including securing your email, your internet connection, and your desktop and servers.

Cloud-Based Phone Systems

Every business needs a phone system, and the cloud-based VoIP system brings large-business communication technology to everyone. These cloud systems offer reliability and sophistication to

The post 5 Things Your Business Should Move to the Cloud in 2017 appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

Senior ITZ leaders genuinely do want to bring their organizations in line with strategic business goals, but often they find the relationship isn’t exactly an equal partnership. As Mihir Shah, CTO of the asset management group at Fidelity Investments, quips, “Perfect alignment is when the business gets whatever it wants, whenever it wants.”

When resource-constraine, has to deal with multiple business units simultaneously – all demanding what they want when they want it – the situation quickly becomes unsustainable.

As the digital transformation continues to accelerate, the pressure on IT will continue to mount; is there a better way to create an efficient and satisfying partnership?

The answer, according to MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research (CISR), is yes, due to a concept known as “demand shaping.”

There are six key elements in the MIT CISR toolbox:

• IT cost transparency
• Strategic program management
• Roadmapping
• Business relationship management
• Post-implementation reviews
• Agile development

IT executives at Staples, HP, Charles Schwab and BMW have publically discussed their use of demand shaping. Demand shaping is a sound method for creating a foundational platform that can serve the needs of subsequent projects.

Demand shaping is an effective way to do more with less, a way to get more bang for your buck.

Demand shaping is “a way to turn the conversation from IT being an order-taker into one where we can enable opportunities with outcomes,” says Herve Coureil, CIO of $26 billion global energy management and automation firm Schneider Electric.

How demand shaping works

The six steps in demand shaping all aim to turn what has traditionally been a one-way interaction – with this in the unwanted and ineffective role of order-taker, into an ongoing, two-way dialogue. “Thus business needs to provide more clarification to the CIO about where it’s going and why, and what outcomes it’s expecting,” says Ross. “Then CIOs need to say, ‘If that’s our strategy, then here are the capabilities we need.’ There’s no point in building capabilities that don’t help the company.”

The discipline also forces CIOs to focus on the whole organization, rather than individual businesses, and to set and pursue long-term priorities rather than short-term goals. “CIOs want to meet needs and keep people happy. But if there is no clear prioritization of what’s important [for the entire company].

Article source: Computer World

The post Demand Shaping; the next frontier of IT appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.

“As a part of the European Union, there is a general directive that all nations abide by a guide,” says Greeman Yip, CEO of cloud consultancy BitTitan. “Now that the UK is not a part of the EU, the previous baseline directive that were adopted will change.”

When the UK is part of the EU it has the same data sovereignty laws as other countries in the EU. Now that it has departed, experts agree that data privacy laws will change. Although it is too early to determine exactly what the impact will be, experts encourage enterprises to examine the situation carefully.

The UK’s central role in U.S. companies’ international operations makes this an important issue. Many large U.S. cloud technology vendors have data center in the UK that act as hubs for Europe, says Dana Simberkoff, compliance and risks officer at SaaS consultancy AvePoint. Depending on how the GDPR rules shake out, it could push companies to expand their data footprint into other EU-member countries. “From a business perspective, Brexit may impact the development of new data centers in the U.K. as cloud providers may choose to pause those plans until the UK plans are clear,” Simberkoff wrote in an email.

According to Doug Loweve, the vice president of international sales for Interzion, a company that offers data center and collocation space across Europe, expanding beyond the UK and into Europe isn’t necessarily a bad thing for companies with international footprints. “Brexit has put a bright spotlight on the need to look at where your data sits, both for data privacy and performance.”

According to research firm Gartner, Brexit will cause some trepidation in the IT market as these data privacy issues are sorted out. “Now many new long-term strategic projects will be put on pause and likely not restarted until 2017,” the research firm noted.

Yip, with BitTitan, is more optimistic. “Bottom line – the UK is the most stable country in EMEA in which to do business,” he says. “This is the UK’s opportunity to blaze their own trail in the cloud, away from the EU and arguably in a manner more favorable to tech companies looking to innovate while operating under its governing umbrella. In a few years, the EU might be reworking their own regulations to abide by the standards established in the UK.”

The post Why Brexit could cause data privacy problems for U.S. companies appeared first on IT Services Miami | Computer repair | Telx Computers.