SOLUTIONS
No End In Sight...

Around this same time last year, because of pandemic-related manufacturer constraints, we wrote about the importance of taking stock of inventory and ensuring that software and hardware were up to date. Well, it’s a year later and no one expected that we would still be dealing with shortages from major players such as HP and Dell. The impact is vast and affects everyone. Remote and hybrid working schedules are here to stay which means the need for laptops, desktops and other hardware will continue to be in high demand. The best business and organizations can do is have contingency plans that allows for flexibility.

Early on in the pandemic, businesses were in crisis mode, unprepared and shocked. It’s a year later and the Delta variant caused more havoc than most anticipated. With the end of the year approaching, it’s hard to know what to expect next. Remote working has allowed companies to adjust and get back to somewhat business as usual. Companies will need to continue to come up with ways to re-engage with their workforce and to reduce operational risks, increase security and ensure customer access. One of the ways of doing so is making sure organizations focus on inventory management and having the right technology hardware.

Having hardware and software in place that make daily business functions seamless is critical. Many of the hardware we use for remote work are manufactured overseas with suppliers who also faced their own challenges with the virus and had to shut down for some time. Right now, the chip shortage is playing a major part in the reason for the delays resulting in long lead times. Many ask, why can’t the companies just build new factories or make more chips if there is a shortage? The answer is not that simple.

These computer parts are produced in specialized factories that are designed with tight controls that manage the quality of the product. Those types of factories cost billions to build and can take years to complete. In August, Intel CEO spoke with the Washington Post and stated he did not believe the chip shortage would recover until beyond 2022. Because of this, Intel has refocused their efforts in building manufacturing sites in the United States in hopes of relieving some of the bottleneck. Although this is great for the long-term, it does not address the short-term shortages many are facing. Intel does not only make parts for PC’s, they also are a major player within the automobile industry. All sectors across the board are competing for computer products leading to rising cost rise and lack of availability.

The supply chain disruption is a global issue and does not only impact us here in the United States. Because of this, AaSys recommends that you start planning as soon as possible and really assess your business needs for crucial solutions. You also want to factor in possible shipping delays. The sooner orders are placed, the better position your organization is in to deal with what may come. Also, don’t forget applications that can streamline your business process. Many institutions have adopted different technologies over the past year. Have you had time to conduct a risk assessment for these technologies and to adapt your policies and procedures?
  
Because no one knows what will happen next, businesses need to continue to build up resiliency, be agile and be open to a degree of flexibility. Contact your Account Executive today so they can help your organization get ready for the months ahead and beyond.


Sources:
ABA and Banks Across the U.S. Launch 2nd Annual #BanksNeverAskThat Anti-phishing Campaign
Campaign launch marks the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The American Bankers Association, joined by more than 1,200 banks of all sizes from across the country, launched a coordinated, industry-wide campaign to educate consumers about how to protect themselves—and their bank accounts—from phishing scams. Now in its second year, the award-winning #BanksNeverAskThat campaign uses attention-grabbing humor to reinforce that banks never text, call or email customers asking for sensitive information like their password or PIN.

“The incredible response to last year’s #BanksNeverAskThat campaign inspired us to relaunch a new and improved campaign this October, so we can continue to help bank customers fight back against phishing,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “By bringing banks from across the country together in this effort, we’re able to collectively educate bank customers and shine a light on the phishing threat. We're grateful to all the banks that joined this important effort.”

Utilizing creative materials developed by ABA, banks across the country began simultaneously deploying the campaign on Oct. 1 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Updates to the campaign this year include new animated videos and social media shares, a new quiz to test consumers’ phishing awareness, and a refreshed educational website available at BanksNeverAskThat.com.

ABA designed the campaign to be bright and bold with a bit of added humor to break through traditional cybersecurity and fraud awareness campaigns, which can be forgettable and dull to many consumers.

“Do you prefer boxers or briefs? Do you believe in aliens?!,” one of the campaign’s animated GIFs asks social media users. “Banks would never ask you these questions. Here’s another question a real bank would never ask: We’ve spotted some unusual activity on your account, can you please verify your username and password?”

“Some of the phishing scams we’re seeing can be pretty convincing, making it even more important for consumers to be able to spot them and know what to do,” said Paul Benda, ABA SVP for operational risk and cybersecurity. “Hopefully, adding a little humor to the campaign makes the message stick so that bank customers take a moment to stop and think about that text, email or phone call before falling for a scam.”

The campaign’s six short videos offer similarly ridiculous questions that banks would never ask and direct consumers to BanksNeverAskThat.com for more information. At that website, consumers will find the #BanksNeverAskThat quiz, videos, phishing red flags, tips and FAQs.

For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.

See below to view the campaign videos:



Avoid The Most Common Email Mistakes

Overview
Email is still one of the primary ways we communicate, both in our personal and professional lives. However, quite often we can be our own worst enemy when using email. Here are the most common mistakes people make with email and how to avoid them.

Auto Complete
Auto-complete is a common feature in most email clients. As you type the name of the person you want to email, your email software automatically selects their email address for you. This way you do not have to remember the email address of all your contacts, just their names. The problem is when you know people that share similar names, it is very easy for auto-complete to select the wrong email address for you. For example, you may intend to send a very sensitive work email to “Janet Roberts”, your co-worker, but instead auto-complete selects the email address for “Janice Rodriguez”, your child’s basketball coach. You end up sending a sensitive work email to someone you barely know. Always double check the name and the email address in any sensitive email before you hit send. Another option is add the recipient’s email after you have drafted your message, ensuring you selected the intended individual.

Reply-All
In addition to the “To” field when you create an email you also have a “CC:” option. “CC:” stands for “Carbon Copy”, which allows you to copy additional people on your email and keep them informed. When someone else sends you an email and has CC’ed people on the email, you have to decide how you want to reply: just to the sender or to everyone that was included on the email via Reply-All. If your reply is sensitive, you most likely want to reply only to the sender. However, be careful as it’s very easy to mistakenly hit “Reply-All,” which means you would reply to everyone on the email. Once again, whenever replying to a sensitive email, always double check who you are sending the email to before you hit send.

Emotion
Never send an email when you are emotionally upset--it could harm you in the future, perhaps even costing you a friendship or a job. Instead, take a moment and calmly organize your thoughts. If you need to vent your frustration, open up a new email (make sure there is no name or email address in the TO section) and type exactly what you feel like saying. Then get up and walk away from your computer, perhaps make yourself a cup of coffee or go for a walk.

When you come back, delete the message and start over again. It may even help to have a friend or co- worker review your draft response objectively before you send it. Or better yet perhaps once you have calmed down, pick up the phone and simply talk to the person, or speak face to face if possible. It can be difficult for people to determine your intent with just an email, so your message may sound better on the phone or in person. Remember, once you send that email, it exists forever.

Privacy
Finally, email has few privacy protections. Your email can be read by anyone who gains access to it, similar to a postcard sent in the mail. Your email can easily be forwarded to others, posted on public forums, released due to a court order, or distributed after a server was hacked. If you have something truly private to say to someone, pick up the phone and call them. If you are using your work computer for sending email, remember that your employer may have the right to monitor and perhaps even read your email when using work resources.

Attachments
If you’re attaching documents to your message, double-check that you’ve attached the correct versions of the correct files before sending.


Please Note: the following Adobe products are end of life and are no longer being supported by Adobe! Adobe will no longer issue updates or security patches for these products.

  • Acrobat X Pro
  • Acrobat X Standard
  • Acrobat X Suite
  • Acrobat XI Pro
  • Acrobat XI Standard
Proofpoint is offering complimentary Awareness Training Kits. The kits give you the tools you need to engage your users and turn them into a strong line of defense against phishing attacks and other cyber threats.

The kits cover Phishing and Password Awareness. Download them now!

And if you are interested in acquiring Proofpoint for your organization, please contact your Account Executive today!
A new Informational alert has been posted to CSI EDGE
CSI Managed Services Alert - Microsoft Ending Support for Some Versions of Outlook

This is a reminder that the versions of Outlook for Windows listed below will no longer connect with Office 365 and Microsoft 365 applications starting November 1, 2021. 

For guidance, please refer to the What This Means for You section of the memo. You can also view the list of currently supported versions of Outlook via the links below.

Microsoft announced that beginning November 1, 2021, the following versions of Outlook for Windows will no longer connect with Office 365 and Microsoft 365 applications:

  • Office and Microsoft 365 Applications Outlook for Windows Version No Longer Supported
  • Office 2013 15.0.4970.9999 and older
  • Office 2016 16.0.4599.9999 and older
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (formerly Office 365 ProPlus) 1705 and older
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for business (formerly Office 365 Business) 1705 and older
 
What This Means for You
If you are currently using Outlook to access O365 email, please review the following for changes that must be made before November 1, 2021: 

  • O365 users with Microsoft Office licensing will need to download the latest Office version. 
  • O365 users with standalone versions of Microsoft Office must upgrade to a version newer than those listed in the table above. Contact your CSI Relationship Manager for assistance in upgrading licensing or purchasing standalone software.  
 
To view a list of currently supported versions of Outlook, please visit the following pages:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-microsoft365-apps-by-date

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/office-updates-msi

You may view additional alert details by logging on to CSI EDGE.
Virtual ISO Peer Group Meeting
AaSys is pleased to announce another VIRTUAL ISO Peer Group Meeting!

Physical Security - “Beyond the Locked Door”

Sessions will be held on October 26, 2021; October 28, 2021; and November 3, 2021.

Please contact your Account Manager for more details.
2021 Company Holidays
Thursday, November 11, 2021 - Veterans Day
Thursday, November 25, 2021 - Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 26, 2021 - AaSys will close at 3:00 PM EST
Friday, December 24, 2021 - Christmas Eve Day (AaSys will close at 12:00 PM EST)
Saturday, December 25, 2021 - Christmas Day
Friday, December 31, 2021 - New Year's Eve (AaSys will close at 3:00 PM EST)
Saturday, January 1, 2022 - New Year's Day
AaSys Group, Inc.
11301 North US Highway 301
Suite 106
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 246-4757 Phone
(813) 246-4576 Fax