Recently, a group of our DataVizion team members, made their way to Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for Aruba Atmosphere 2018. Hosted by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, it’s the largest mobility conference in the world, that brings together networking experts from across the globe.

During the action-packed week, our DataVizion team members, along with several of our customers, attended keynotes from top-performing industry professionals, and hands-on sessions and demonstrations. Along with our customers, we learned about the importance and implementation of intelligent edge, and how to enable its capabilities throughout businesses with Aruba Mobile First Architecture.

We also had the opportunity to hear from Partha Narasimhan, CTO at Aruba. During his presentation, he spoke about the need of Al-powered analytics and assurance. Al-powered analytics and assurance solutions provide connectivity insights that let you measure and manage application responsiveness, so that you can see how your network is performing for your users, in real time.

“Not only does this event enable us to learn more about Aruba and where they are headed, from a partners perspective, is also enables DataVizion to bring customers together to learn more about what can be achieved with the solutions they are considering implementing,” said Tom Burke, Channel Sales Director.

While obtaining an Aruba Mobile First Expert Certification, our DataVizion team members gained insight on:

• How to turn IT resources into assets for businesses
• Closing security gaps while supporting workplace flexibility
• Providing the right collaboration tools for organizational creativity
• Helping organization’s gain an innovative edge;
• Embracing the flexibility and scale of cloud and on-premises solutions.

If you are interested to learn about how mobile-first implementations can benefit your business network,  give us a call at 402-327-1880.

DataVizion’s 2018 Tech Summit kicked off April 9, bringing together industry professionals and technology experts from more than 30 companies.

This year’s theme “Leveraging Next Generation Technology Solutions” focused on the latest in next generation mobility and security and what companies need to do to keep up.

“Advances in technology are shaking up expectations for how every kind of business operates,” Kelly Schrad, DataVizion President and CEO, said. “Technology isn’t going to slow down, so we’re helping our customers not only look how to get ahead of the curve, but also utilize solutions to give them a competitive advantage. “

The day kicked off with a presentation from special guest speaker Dale Cline, the CEO of BlackStratus. Cline discussed the latest in IT security and compliance and what businesses should be on the look out for.

Condall Clegg, the Director of US Channels and Alliances in the Solutions and Technology organization within Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) spoke about how the company has evolved to address changing technology demands.

Breakout sessions from leading technology companies Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, Fortinet and Nutanix, filled the second half of the day.

DataVizion also hosted a special breakout session on the company’s new managed security services solution, VizionCare Secure.

The day wrapped up a cocktail hour and raffle drawing. Several lucky winners walked away with great prizes such as a GoPro HERO6 and a DJI Phantom 3 Drone startup kit.

A special thanks to our partners and sponsors for helping us put together this event.

View photos from the event here.

Looking back on 2017, it was a big year for major breaches and cyberattacks. The success of ransomware went mainstream, which lead to increasing cases of ransomware attacks.

Now that 2018 is here, we’ll continue to see the development of ransomware attacks, which will deeply impact the productivity and security of organizations. Here are some predictions for additional vulnerabilities in store for businesses this year.

• Political motives on the rise: Expect to see ransomware motives that are for political gain rather than just commercial.
• Increased sophistication: Security solutions will need to adapt faster than ever to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated ransomware.
• Expanded targets: Hackers are no longer just going after big business. While the statistics vary, most show a significant increase in attacks on small businesses.
• Focus on customer data protection: Customers are walking away from businesses that suffer cybersecurity breaches. To thrive, businesses will need to not only stay ahead of evolving threats, but also keep pace with updated regulation and compliance standards.
• Internet of Things (IoT) integration fueling threats: Hackers are finding new ways to get into your network through unprotected devices, including everything from point-of-sale machines and intelligent vending machines to smart home and vehicle devices.

While the concern for cybersecurity attacks will continue to rise in 2018, we're committed to protecting your data and your business. Our VizionCare Secure, Managed Service Security Solution, can dramatically reduce your chance of suffering a severe breach with 24/7 active monitoring.

Contact us today at (402) 327-1880 for more information about VizionCare Secure.

There have been a lot of reports, articles and even conflicting statements in the news about substantial security issues now known as Meltdown and Spectre.

In the simplest of terms, these are two hardware flaws that affects nearly every computer and device out there, primarily impact Intel based computers.

While there is a lot of valuable news information available, we wanted to share some basics with you. Rest assured, at DataVizion we stay ahead of evolving security risks, capacity requirements and performance demands that can impact your business.

What It Is

Cyber security experts have discovered chip design flaws in computer processors that could allow access to your sensitive information such as passwords on computers, servers and smartphones.

Company’s (Microsoft, Apple, Google, etc) that develop the operating systems for these impacted systems are taking steps to release patches that prevent the vulnerability from being exploited by hackers; however, even if all updates are made, many devices will remain exposed.

What It Does

The Meltdown and Spectre flaws may have serious implications for users as it allows hackers to access important information such as passwords or the encryption keys held in a device’s memory.

Meltdown allows a program running on a computer to break into an operating system’s central memory, accessing data it shouldn't be.

Normally, this could be addressed using the software updates being rushed out. However, Spectre makes it possible for a program running on a chip to access data in a separate program, without any need to call on the operating system.

What You Can Do Now

Users should make sure to install all applicable patches once released from Microsoft and/or Apple. Once the patch is released, those customers who are subscribed to DataVizion’s patching services will receive the patch and have it deployed automatically and managed by DataVizion. Any other users/customers will have to ensure that their systems are patched or contact Datavizion for assistance for additional help.

What We’re Doing About It

DataVizion is committed to ensuring our customers have the latest and greatest cyber security protections in place. For questions about this or to learn more about our patching/security services, please feel free to reach out to your account manager.

Today, headlines about IT security breaches read very differently than just worms and viruses of early days. Nation states actors, organized crime syndicates and idealistic “hacktivists” have catapulted cybersecurity onto the global stage.

Complex attack methodologies coupled with sophisticated social engineering has resulted in the grim reality that vulnerabilities exist in every organization, regardless of size. Even worse, is that the average amount of time between a breach and discovery is eight months.

This rising trend of cyber attacks has led us to offer a new managed security service solution, VizionCare Secure. This solution can dramatically reduce your chance of suffering a severe breach and reduce the amount of time between a breach and discovery to minutes.

Our solution provides advanced threat intelligence and the same level of security as the largest companies in the world, all at a low monthly cost. Your data is protected in real-time and meets your regulatory audit and reporting requirements. This includes providing specific compliance reports you’ll need to pass HIPAA, PCI, FISMA and other audits.

To show business just how valuable it is, we offer a free, 30-Day Security Health Assessment for your business. During that time, we will assess your security posture, risk profile and identify potential gaps.

Contact us today at (402) 327-1880 for more information or to enroll in the free assessment.

Small businesses are a big market for cyber attacks.

Hackers have realized that smaller businesses are easier targets for cyber attacks. According to the Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 61% of cyber attack victims are business with less than 1,000 employees.

So why are small business the target for these invasions? The answer is simple. Small businesses generally have weaker security. What weaknesses does your business have? Here are five of the most common:

1. Phishing still works. This year’s DBIR found that about 1 in 14 users were tricked into following a link or opening an attachment.
2. Weak passwords. Maybe it’s the amount of passwords we all have to remember or lack of creativty. Whatever it is, people are still failing to set strong enough passwords. Stats show 80% of hacking-related breaches leveraged either stolen passwords and/or weak or guessable passwords.
3. Old defenses aren’t working against new threats. Many companies are relaying on outdated cyber security defenses. You need a cyber security plan that keeps pace wit the ever-envolving hacker techniques.
4. Employees. Unfortunaly, many breaches are a result of employees or former employees who have access toinformation and use it to their benefit, which can often harm your business.
5. Physical theft. Whether deliberate or accidental, cyber security threats can start with hard copies or sensitive information landing in the wrong hands.

Though these statistics may be alarming, there are affordable solutions to insuring your business doesn’t become a victim to cyber attacks. DataVizion is now offering a new managed security service solution, VizionCare Secure. Our solution provides advanced threat intelligence and the same level of security as the largest companies in the world, all at a low monthly cost. 

To show businesses just how valuable it is, we offer a free 30-Day Security Health Assessment for your business. During that time, we will assess your security posture, risk profile and identify potential gaps.

You may think your small business is immune to a cyber attack, but in reality small businesses are becoming larger targets. Contact us today for more information or to enroll in the free assessment (402) 327-1880.

Our team at DataVizion would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who attended our Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament Aug. 31, 2017.

Together, with our partners and customers, we were able to raise $6,500 for Child Saving Institute. That’s $1,000 more than last year! The donation helps this nonprofit provides services including counseling, therapy, education and support for children and families in the community.

A special thanks to Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, who sponsored the event, and and to all of our generous hole sponsors who helped make this event possible.

“We had such a great time with all our partners and clients coming together for a great cause,” Kelly Schrad, DataVizion President and CEO, said. “We appreciate everyone’s generosity and hope to see you all again next year.”

For more information about Child Saving Institute or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.childsaving.org.

Click here to view photos of the event.

If you don’t have an answer to that question, you’re not alone. A study¹ conducted by Robert Half Technology revealed 1 in 4 CIOs say their organization has no mobile technology strategy.

However, it’s predicted that by the year 2020 mobile workers will make up more than 70 percent of the total U.S. workforce². This is largely due to the quick rise in usage of smartphones, tablets, cloud-based applications and the Internet of Things and it’s not slowing down. So, if you don’t have a mobile strategy, it’s time to put one into place. Here are three main reasons why:

1. Boost productivity and efficiency

Mobility allows us to streamline procedures and increase collaboration, which ultimately leads to a more efficient and productive workforce. The published VMware State of Business Mobility Report³, which examined the transition from the client-server to the mobile-cloud era revealed some interesting statistics. Among them:

• Organizations that had achieved their business mobility goals were able to bring new revenue streams online 35 percent faster.
• Leaders in mobility see an average return on investment of 150 percent due to the increased agility that allows them to quickly capitalize on new revenue opportunities.

2. Increase employee availability

Having a mobile workforce allows your team to stay in touch and collaborate regardless of where they physically are. This makes your team more responsive, more effective and ultimately more valuable to your clients.

3. Enhance the customer experience

In everywhere from restaurants to hospitals, customers are quickly coming to expect a seamless Wi-Fi experience. A study conducted by the consumer intelligence agency Walker⁴ revealed that by the year 2020 customer experience is expected to overtake price and product as a key brand differentiator.

Hopefully now, you understand the “why.” That’s the easy part right? It's putting a mobile strategy into place that can seem overwhelming.

Don’t worry. We can help. First, check out this helpful and easy to understand eBook from Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company. It shows how you can implement a high performing, secure network for today’s business environment. And how simple— and profitable—setting up such a network really is.

Want to discuss your company’s mobile strategy? Give us a call at 402.327.1880.

1 Robert Half Technology

2 IDC Research Services

3 VMware State of Business Mobility Report 2015

4 https://www.walkerinfo.com/customers2020/

At work and at home, you probably deal with technology issues more often than you would like. Sometimes, it’s the simplest of problems that cause the biggest headaches. Here are answers to some of the most common technology pain points.

Is there a way to make my laptop’s battery last longer?

In the past, it was commonly advised to drain your battery completely before recharging it. This rule mostly applies to older, nickel-based batteries. Most newer laptops and other devices use lithium ion batteries, which are easier to take care of. The best thing you can do to preserve your battery is keep it cool.

Overheating will shorten the long-term life of the battery. Take precaution not to leave your laptop in a hot car, obstruct the ventilation ports or allow dust build up – all of which can cause overheating to occur. And realize no battery last forever. After several years, sometimes it’s best to replace it.

Is it really necessary to “eject” USB drives?

It’s easy to get in a hurry and forgot to eject a USB drive before removing the device. When you plug in a USB drive, you give your computer the ability to read and write data to it, some of which is cached. When caching occurs, not all information is written to the USB device immediately. Some of it is stored in your computer’s memory (RAM). If you remove the USB drive before the information is completely written, you could end up with a corrupted file. So it may seem unnecessary, but better safe than sorry. 

Why do I need to reset my router?

If you’re having trouble with your Internet, one of the first trouble-shooting options is to unplug your router and plug it back in.  Most often, it solves the problem. Why? Think of your router as a small computer. It’s constantly sending data. As you continue to push more data through, the router can become overloaded, run out of memory or even overheat. When you restart your router, you are allowing it to start fresh. Keep in mind, if you feel you are restarting your router too often, there could be a larger connectivity issue.

What are the differences between malware, viruses and trojans?

Chances are, you’ve probably heard these terms by now. If you’re not exactly sure of the definitions, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Here’s the simple breakdown (thanks Wikipedia!):

• Malware is short for “malicious software” and is a term used to describe pretty much anything that is specifically designed to harm your computer or steal your information.
• Viruses are programs that infect computers and copy themselves to spread from one computer system to another.
• Trojans are applications that look normal, but are used to hack into a computer by misleading users of its true intent. This can allow an attacker to access users' personal information such as banking information, passwords, or personal identity (IP address)

How often do I need to restart my computer? 

When you’re having computer problems hearing  “Have you tried restarting?” from your go-to technology guru might not be what you want to hear.  While this may seem like a dismissive response, rebooting a computer can actually solve many problems. When you reboot your computer you stop unused programs from running and clear your RAM. Computers also run diagnostics and install updates when you reboot, which can help solve minor issues. You don’t have to do restart your computer every day, but it doesn’t hurt.

If only every computer problem was that easy! With our managed services it can be. Our help desk is staffed 24/7. Contact us to learn more.

Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting private companies in hopes of easy access. Even basic oversights, such as leaving a laptop unattended or opening a spam email, could lead to a cyber attack and ultimately cause a financial loss for your company.

Having the right technology in place to prevent such attacks is a must. However, you should also provide basic training to employees, as they are a critical line of defense against cyber attacks. Here are five topics to cover.

1. Phishing and Spam

Hackers are coming up with increasingly clever scams using fake emails to try and gain access to your company’s network or employee information. Train your employees to spot these phishing attempts and to alert IT to any suspicious emails. You can even purchase phishing simulator training tools to test your employees’ awareness. The results will show what additional training and education may be needed.

2. Strong Passwords

Between work and personal use, it seems like we all have a million passwords to remember. To combat this, employees may be tempted to create an easy password used for multiple purposes. Train employees on the importance of using strong passwords and ways to secure where they store that information.

3. Reporting Problems

Employees may be hesitant to notify IT if they accidently clicked on something they shouldn't have. Or, they may not realize the risks involved with losing a flash drive with sensitive information. Take the time to educate employees and make sure they are comfortable reporting any, and all, security threats.

4. Public Wi-Fi

With the increase in workplace mobility comes an increase in usage of public Wi-Fi. While convenient, Wi-Fi in coffee shops, airports, hotels and elsewhere may not be secure. Educate employees on how to identify secure website and how to connect through a virtual private network (VPN).

5. Social Media

For starters, if you don’t have a social media policy in place, it’s time to implement one. Social media is ripe with hackers looking to elicit information from individuals. Just one click on a post that appears harmless could inadvertently spread malware. Educate employees on acceptable use of social media and have monitoring practices in place to minimize the risks.

It’s a good idea to continue to provide employees with ongoing training and information updates to keep IT security top of mind.

Do you have questions about your IT security? Give us a call to see how we can help.