We are in the fortunate position to be able to keep all of our employees working remotely full-time, with years of experience in remote workforce practices. We're also doing our part to flatten the curve by encouraging our workforce to be socially responsible in their social distancing practices, washing our hands for 20seconds, and continually finding ways to contribute to our community.

Ensuring the quality of our services to you: 

DataVizion was built as a sustainable business for over a decade, and while we have never seen anything quite like this, we continue to be ready to serve and scale with your needs, especially now.

 

Here are some basic tips and recommendations for good work from home practices.

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CYBERSECURITY:

1. Make sure your home wifi is secure and encrypted.
   • (Is your SSID default and/or broadcasting?
   • Have you replaced default admin user and passwords on all devices?
   • Have you updated firmware recently? Modem/Router, IoT, etc.?)
   • TIP: Remember to disable remote administration and use the strongest level of encryption. (WPA3 if available). You can also monitor the network and enable MAC filtering.
2. Use a VPN. (Yes, a hacker does live next door. And several work at your IP.)
3. Turn off/ Unplug/ Remove all voice/vision/motion-activated items and Smart devices that can listen or view (Alexa, Ring, Baby Monitors, Smart TV, etc.).
4. Secure your printer and any other network or home IoT Devices so they do not become an entry point.
   • This includes smart thermostats, lighting, home security, smart locks, wifi cameras, health devices and wearables, home entertainment for streaming, gaming or music, smart TVs, and smart appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers and more.
   • Disable UPnP on your router and segment IoT devices, change default passwords and admin controls, use security features were available, and periodically power cycle devices. Where possible, turn off anything you aren't using.
5. Check with your security team to make sure you have the appropriate, updated security software to back up your work, remote wipe your device, and protect against malware, etc.
   • (Also make sure your OS and other software are updated)
6. Brush up on your security awareness training, especially any focused on working remotely, from home, and traveling. Knowing is half the battle.
7. Use multi-factor authentication where possible to protect critical accounts like email, company software, etc and mitigate the damage if a password is compromised.
8. Never leave your device(s) in your vehicle. If you brought it, you need to wear it. Take your backpack and guard it like the One Ring (or the Two Ring).
9. Lock your computer /devices when not in use and put them away, as well as any other sensitive information like meeting notes, client information, or other digital /physical resources.

TECHNOLOGY:

1. Make sure you have the right technology and tools, including hardware
   • Monitors, printer, headset, etc
   • Software (VPN, CRM, Slack, IM, Zoom, etc.).
2. Is your internet access fast enough and reliable enough? (Does your IP throttle speeds and/or limit data usage?)
3. Do not use personal devices or cloud accounts to store, transport, back-up, or work on company information.
4. If you use removable media for work, make sure all data is encrypted and stored securely.

PRODUCTIVITY:

1. Have a dedicated workspace and set a perimeter if others live in your home. Stock it with any needed supplies (See technology items above).
2. Remove distractions and resist the urge to knock out chores around your home.
3. Understand and stick to expected work hours, including a definitive END time for the day. If you typically work after hours anyway as many in our industry do - then purposefully go back to it later that evening after you have had a break and engaged with family or housemates (including furry ones).
4. Communication is critical, not only for your own interaction and feedback but so others know you're still on the job. Be proactive to send updates to your direct report and check-in with those under you. The idea here isn't to show where your minutes went, but rather an update on the status of projects and deliverables. Either the work is getting done or it's not.
5. Pick appropriate background music to help you concentrate and feel less isolated.
   • TIP: Best to avoid anything that you will start listening too closely to, so instrumental is typically going to be more effective.

BEHAVIOR & HEALTH:

1. How you take care of yourself will impact your mood and your productivity. Get up on time, make the bed, get dressed, cleanliness and grooming are still necessary.
2. If you will be in virtual meetings where someone can see you - be prepared for that every day so you don't misfire when it counts. This means being presentable, making sure the area /background behind you is presentable (not unfinished basement walls, dirty dishes, beer cans, or anything personal that shouldn't be posted on the internet - including pictures).
3. When you are using the phone, follow basic rules of consideration.
   • Pause your music
   • Make sure no one will hear the animals freaking out
   • Don't be multi-tasking dishes or other noisy behaviors
   • Don't eat while you're on the phone... enough said.
4. Make time to eat, stretch, walk around, a snack if needed, and keep yourself otherwise alert and fueled.

For a while now, businesses of all sizes have been steering away from traditional data centers and toward the cloud. Increased productivity, decreased overhead, and overall fewer IT headaches are just some of the results. However, there are disadvantages as well – compliance, lack of ability to predict costs accurately, and potential loss of control over infrastructure – to name a few.

 

The promise of public cloud with cost control and security you demand. You can’t have everything right? Wrong! The Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Platform delivers the simplicity, scalability and flexibility benefits of the public cloud, but with the control and security businesses need in the enterprise datacenter.

 

Simplicity

The Enterprise Cloud is a 100% software-based solution that can run on off-the-shelf servers from all leading server manufacturers. Worried about time? With a Nutanix-powered infrastructure, you can go from the starting line to full deployment in just 60 minutes or less. Enjoying the ease of day-to-day management through a single GUI/console.

 

Scalability

You have the freedom to start in the slow lane and accelerate as your business does – just like the public cloud. Plus, the capacity to your network and/or storage capacity can be added as needed without interruption or downtime. No more waiting for new hardware to arrive and taking time and resources to integrate it with your existing environment. With Nutanix Enterprise Cloud, an entire software stack can be upgraded in a single click, and without disruption to the live environment.

 

Flexibility

One of the most important aspects of the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud is the flexibility when it comes to application mobility. With support for one-click migration,  you can seamlessly move across various infrastructure platforms. Without infrastructure constraints, your IT team is in the driver’s seat when it comes to selecting and leveraging the best applications based on your current needs.

 

Control and Security

With the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Platform, you will be in the fast lane with automated security features with no negative application impact. It also integrates with a broad network of validated, security partner solutions to provide a holistic approach to securing your data.

Utilizing patented machine-learning data-driven algorithms, the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Platform becomes smarter over time, which reduces reliance (and potential for humor error) on everyday administrator intervention.

 

Let us help you determine which workloads you could move to Nutanix and put you standing at the top of the podium in your company.  We have a quick, proven method of sizing a Nutanix for you that will maximize ROI as well as decrease your administrative pain.  We WILL get your nights and weekends back for you!

 

Questions? Or ready to take a test drive? Please join us for an informative and fun-filled afternoon of go-kart racing March 5, 2020, at Pole Position Raceway in Des Moines, Iowa.

Click here for details and to register. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

The increasing sophistication in and rise in number of cyber security attacks is leading more companies to consider whether hiring a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is the right move. We've found these common misconceptions often keep business owners from considering this solution.

1. We Already Have an Internal IT Team
Hiring an MSP doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your internal team. At DataVizion we work with your team by freeing them from necessary, yet time-consuming tasks like monitoring, management and patching of your IT network. Empower your internal IT resources by freeing them from status quo-maintaining tasks and allowing them to focus on business-advancing tasks.

2. External Help Means Slower Response Times 
It’s common for companies to fear their issues will sit at the bottom of some never-ending queue. With VizionCare, DataVizion’s managed services platform, there are no mystery queues.  VizionCare includes Service Level Agreements that define exactly how, when and in what timeframes service issues will be responded to. Our experienced team will ensure the right resources are dedicated to each task and resolved in an efficient and timely manner.

3. MSPs Are Only for Large Businesses and Too Expensive 
Businesses of all sizes can benefit from using an outsourced MSP. Not only will it help you gain a competitive edge, but our customers find it helps them operate more safely and efficiently. With VizionCare, you get top-level proactive monitoring and support all for a predictable fixed monthly fee agreement. No surprises.

4. Outsourcing Can Lead to More Security Risks  
VizionCare is a safe and secure solution that brings together protection, detection and response. Actionable threat intelligence is gleaned from the millions of events and we take the proper remediation steps to continuously harden your network. We also deliver compliance reports to you at specified intervals and you maintain full legal chain-of-custody over your logs.

While we can’t say hiring an MSP is the perfect solution for every company, the benefits are many.  If you want to learn more about VizionCare and how we can free up your IT Team, please contact us for a free consultation.