March 2014
In this issue: |
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FFIEC Issues Statement on End of
Microsoft Support for Windows XP |
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Lock Down: Our Top 5 Security
Takeaways |
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Gamification. Buzzword or the next
big thing? |
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3 Hidden Costs of Aging IT Networks |
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Services/Quick Links |
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Monthly Trivia |
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Quote and Cartoon |
3 Hidden Costs of Aging IT
Networks
Network refresh. . .I�ll give you a moment to stop cringing.
Better? Ok.
It�s something that most business leaders don�t want to think about, but needs to be considered when your network reaches the three year mark. A network refresh is an investment, there�s no doubt about that, but the cost of doing nothing and continuing to work on an aging network most likely has greater costs that you may not even realize.
Consider the fact that network components begin to deteriorate after 3 years. That means they require more maintenance than new equipment. Add in that the demands on today�s networks are much higher than ever (stop and think about how much more work do you do using technology than you did a few years ago!) and will only continue to go up, and that you�re asking equipment designed for a previous age to deliver on these increased demands, and you have a recipe for a network break down.
Read more |
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FFIEC Issues Statement on End of Microsoft Support for Windows
XP
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council agencies
have issued the following statement for financial institutions
about the end of support for Windows XP and regulatory guidance
for addressing the risk from its continued use.PURPOSE
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
(FFIEC) agencies (�agencies�) are jointly issuing this
statement to alert financial institutions that the
discontinuation of support for the Microsoft Windows XP
operating system (XP) could present operational risks to
financial institutions, technology service providers (TSPs),
and to activities supported by other third parties.
Read more |
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Lock Down: Our Top 5 Security Takeaways
used with permission from Cisco
If you�re reading this right now, you�re on the internet. You
appreciate the ability to work, surf and shop on the world wide
web without having your information exploited, and you think
you know the basics: use secure sites, don�t store your credit
card information, and don�t open sketchy emails. In 2014, that
may not be enough. The sophistication of the technology and tactics used
by online criminals�and their nonstop attempts to breach networks
and steal data�have outpaced the ability of IT and security
professionals to address these threats. With the rush of new
technology, new threats were detected every day in 2013- up
14% from 2012. Here are some of our guidelines for staying safe
in 2014.
Read more |
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Gamification. Buzzword or the next big thing?
used with
permission from HP Technology at Work
Remember those little gold stars you used to get in elementary school when you did something well? Most kids strive to achieve those stars, even though they have no real value. So, why do teachers reward students with them? And why do students like to receive them?Whatever psychological motivations drive students to achieve gold stars is exactly what the gamification trend is trying to exploit. Gamification is the use of game design techniques, game thinking and game mechanics in a non-gaming context. Reward, recognition, a sense of accomplishment, competitiveness, ambition, pure fun�all of these factors come into play with gamification, but touching on them isn't the real goal. Gamification is really about influencing behavior toward specific, measurable outcomes.
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� Managed IT Services
� Network Design
� LAN/WAN
� On-Site Support
� Remote Connectivity
� Microsoft Exchange Email
� Server Virtualization
� Hardware & Software Sales
� Internet Bandwidth Security
� Cloud Computing
� Virus Detection & Removal
For a complete list of services please click
HERE
www.osgusa.com
info@osgusa.com
support@osgusa.com
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First
person to submit the correct
answers by email to
anorton@osgusa.com
will receive a $20 Starbucks
gift card!
Entries are judged by
date/time received and
correctness. Include your
name and phone number, the
question number and the
answer.
1) Leprechauns are often
associated with Ireland and
St. Patrick's Day. What do
you call the stick
leprechauns carry?
2) According to legend, what
should you never do if you
catch a leprechaun?
3)
Name one the two mob bosses
believed to be involved in
the St Valentine's Day
massacre.
4) The
longest-running St.
Patrick's Day parade in the
United States takes place in
which city?
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Quote
of the Month |
"Err in the direction of kindness."
- George Saunders
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