YOUR SINGLE SOURCE VOICE + IT EXPERTS

January 2025 Voice & IT News


Welcome to the CTS family... Thank you for your business!




Chesapeake Medical Imaging -

13 sites


German International School -

Potomac, MD

Moving Your Business This Year? Head Off Delays and Extra Costs... Engage Your CTS Relocation Experts Now

As you plan your office move, renovation or expansion, among the essential items on your 'to-do list' is arranging Voice and IT infrastructure, solutions and services. 


Our experts have been seamlessly moving businesses for over 35 years by ensuring every aspect of their technology transition planning gets the attention it deserves.


We make sure your networks - wired and wireless - and Voice, Data, and Video systems are in place, tested, and ready to go. 


Your Workplace Move Checklist (PDF)


We integrate everything you need for Day One:


  • Telephone Systems, Broadband Services, Conference Room Systems
  • Data Centers, Routers, Switches, Cabling, Wireless Access Points
  • Fiber Route Diversity for Survivable Networks
  • Security, Surveillance, Physical Access Controls
  • HVAC, Environmental Systems for Cooling
  • Power Backup, Generators


We team up with your architect, facilities people and service providers - Internet, carriers, other vendors - to coordinate all the details:


  • Determine the infrastructure, equipment, and services that will be deployed
  • Assess the new location to accommodate required bandwidth and fiber
  • Design, build, support and maintain


Working with CTS early takes the hassles out of a big move... Get a head start and contact us today: 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.

News You Can Use: Where Things Stand with U.S. Telecom Providers and Chinese cyberattack

The situation regarding U.S. telecommunications and the "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack continues to evolve. 


As of now, U.S. telecom and mobile providers remain on high alert following the discovery of the Chinese Salt Typhoon cyberattack, a sophisticated campaign targeting critical communications infrastructure. Nine telecom companies have confirmed breaches by the Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as Salt Typhoon. Reports in the past week from AT&T and Verizon say that the attackers are no longer embedded in their networks.


The breaches have raised significant national security concerns, as hackers gained the ability to geolocate millions of Americans and record phone calls, including those of high-profile political figures. The White House has described this incident as potentially the "worst telecom hack in our nation's history." 


In response to these breaches, the U.S. government is implementing measures to bolster cybersecurity across telecom infrastructure. This includes increased scrutiny from the FCC and recommendations from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for using encrypted messaging apps to safeguard private communications. 


The situation remains dynamic as investigations continue and further protective actions are anticipated. We’ll continue to keep you informed about emerging Voice and IT news. 


For help with your business communications, contact CTS today at 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.

Net Neutrality Rules Struck Down - What Business Leaders need to know

In a significant ruling on January 2, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit blocked the FCC from reinstating net neutrality rules.


This decision marks another twist in the long-running debate over internet regulation in the United States.


Key Points


  • The court ruled that the FCC lacks statutory authority to impose net neutrality policies on broadband providers.


  • The decision stems from the Supreme Court's June 2024 ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimando, which overturned the precedent of deferring to government agencies in interpreting laws.


  • Broadband providers are now classified as offering only an "information service" under the Communications Act, rather than a "telecommunications service."


Impact on Businesses


  • Internet Service Providers have more flexibility in managing their networks and services.


  • Businesses relying heavily on internet services should monitor for potential changes in service quality or pricing structures.


  • The ruling may lead to increased competition and innovation in internet services but could also result in preferential treatment for certain types of content or services.


Looking Ahead


The FCC has called for Congress to champion net neutrality and enshrine open internet principles into federal law. Business leaders should stay informed about potential legislative actions that could affect internet regulations and their implications for their industries.


It’s a new year… Make sure your business has the best broadband services and pricing. Contact CTS today at 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.

2025 HIPAA Security Rules set to confront Rising Cybersecurity Threats

As of January 2025, significant updates to the HIPAA Security Rule are set to prioritize the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI) amid rising cybersecurity threats. 


The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aims to address compliance deficiencies, with comments on the proposed rule due by March 7, 2025.


More details here


Compliance Strategies for Healthcare Providers


  • Risk Assessment and Management: Regularly evaluate risks to ePHI and implement appropriate safeguards. This includes conducting thorough risk analyses and ensuring that all security measures meet updated standards.


  • Training and Awareness: Foster a culture of compliance by training staff on HIPAA obligations and data protection practices. Continuous education is crucial as new regulations take effect.


  • Vendor Management: Ensure your unified communications services are HIPAA-compliant. If you are exploring your options, CTS can help. We have decades of experience connecting healthcare providers.


By prioritizing these strategies, healthcare organizations can navigate the new HIPAA rules effectively and safeguard patient information against potential breaches.


As your end-to-end technology partner, CTS designs, deploys and supports HIPAA-compliant UC solutions from contact centers and telemedicine to phone systems and collaboration platforms.


Contact us today: 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.

Unlock Better, More Reliable Communication… Bring RingCentral + Microsoft Teams Together

Bring reliable, advanced calling, texts, AI conversation intelligence, fax, and more into your Microsoft Teams mobile and desktop apps. 


As businesses evolve, so do their communication needs. Integrating RingCentral with Microsoft Teams offers a powerful solution that combines the strengths of both platforms, driving more productivity and better collaboration. 


Here’s why decision-makers should consider this integrated approach.


  • Unmatched Reliability - RingCentral boasts an impressive 99.999% uptime, ensuring your team can communicate seamlessly even during Microsoft Teams outages. This reliability is crucial for maintaining business continuity and keeping operations running smoothly.


  • Streamlined Costs - By consolidating communication tools, organizations can significantly lower their total cost of ownership. Integration reduces the need for multiple platforms, simplifying administration and minimizing IT overhead.


  • Enhanced Calling Features - Integrating RingCentral provides advanced telephony capabilities within the familiar Microsoft Teams interface. Features like AI-powered call notes, call routing, and voicemail transcription enhance communication efficiency and productivity.


  • Improved Collaboration - This integration allows teams to manage calls, messages, and video conferences from a single platform. By eliminating the need to switch between applications, employees can focus on their work without disruptions.


  • Actionable Insights - Robust analytics offer valuable insights into communication patterns, enabling informed decision-making and optimization of strategies across departments. In a competitive landscape, leveraging the combined power of RingCentral and Microsoft Teams can transform your communication infrastructure. 


Best of all — no Teams Phone license required and no dependability on Microsoft Teams uptime.


Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enable collaboration and boost productivity—consider integrating these platforms today! 


Contact us today: 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.

We Want Your Leads… Get $250 for More Fun!

Know someone who is looking for a new communications service? Grappling with a Hybrid workforce? Is moving their office? A friend who needs faster broadband or Wi-Fi? A business partner who wants to add Sound Masking to their space?


Tell us about it... Just mention the "Newsletter Referral Program" when you contact us – we'll take care of the rest. CTS rewards you with $250 when we get their business. And there's no paperwork hassle or hoops to jump through.


Contact us with your sales tip at: 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.

Award-winning, industry-certified, serving businesses for 35+ years... CTS helps you take advantage of technology that moves you ahead. Every month we explore the latest in Voice, IT, Networks, Managed Services, Mobility, and Collaboration.  

  

Jeff Nolte, President

Call 800.787.4848 or Email



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