let’s briefly revisit previous newsletter articles from this Spring and Summer. In March I shared “Digital Spring Cleaning” tips to help keep your data secure and maximize your productivity. In May, I wrote about “Vacation Prep in 2022,” listing steps you can take to minimize risk while enjoying your dream vacation. So, it is fitting that I point out a few key areas you should be considering during your 2023 budget and strategic planning.

Small businesses continue to be a lucrative target for cybercriminals. As larger businesses and your neighboring small businesses increase their cyber defense budgets, it leaves those that do not as softer, more vulnerable targets.

The following are quickly becoming requirements to protect your business:

• Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Multifactor passwords should be implemented and required wherever possible. Although some may see this as an extra step or nuisance, MFA is an extremely effective way to minimize the risks associated with passwords being compromised. 
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Since the beginning of life with computers, we have understood the importance of Antivirus. While Antivirus still has its place in the digital world, today’s businesses should be moving to next-generation EDR technology.
• Security Awareness Training and Assessment: Recent statistics show that 96% of all security incidents originate from emails. The number one defense for this type of attack is a well-educated and informed employee.
• Access Control: Access control keeps sensitive and confidential information such as intellectual property and customer data from being compromised and falling into the wrong hands. With organizations moving to hybrid cloud and multi cloud environments, the need for access controls has never been more important.
• Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Often considered the final defense in the event of a breach, an MDR solution arms you with a team of Cyber Security professionals that monitor your entire network for indicators of a potential compromise. When identified, they quickly take action to isolate the attacker, sever their connections, and eliminate the potential of company-wide attack.

As we celebrate Labor Day and the employees that run our companies, let us be reminded that is it our responsibility to make sure their environment is safe and they have the tools to fight this battle.

Once the BBQ grills cool down and horseshoe games are put away for the year, I hope you will find these tips helpful as you continue to grow your businesses.

--Matthew Tucker, CEO

To update your Google Chrome browser, follow these steps:

1. Find the settings for your browser. It should be in the top right corner behind three vertical dots.
2. Click that menu button and choose “Settings.”
3. In the Settings menu, select “About Chrome.”
4. Chrome will automatically check for updates. Wait a few moments for it to give you instructions. If you are up to date, it will tell you. If you need to update your browser, it will allow you to do so.
5. Once you’ve updated your Google Chrome browser, you’ll need to restart the program. Relaunching your browser will apply the security changes you have just made.

Check out the Tips and Tricks section of our blog for more DIY technical know-how. Want some tips in a particular area? We love your requests, so feel encouraged to let us know what you want to see next month!

In Case You Missed It: Apple reported a major vulnerability in iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers on August 19th. Apple released software updates you need to install.

iPhone and iPad owners can update their software by going to the settings application, tapping “general” and then tapping “Software Update.” If you see a new software update available, you should tap “install now.”

Mac owners should click on the Apple logo in the top left-hand corner of your desktop screen. You should then click on “About this Mac,” then click “Software Update” to check for available updates. If a new software update is available, you should click “update now.”

If you want more background, here's a nice article from the New York Post:

Apple's security flaw warning: What it means and what you need to do (nypost.com)