The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

In another post, I focused on The Top 3 Trends Impacting Cybersecurity Right Now. But today,  I want to specifically discuss AI. Whether you like it or not, artificial intelligence will part of this year’s cyber security trends. In 2020, artificial intelligence is a double-edged sword, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on how you look at it.

Personally, I believe that artificial intelligence provides numerous benefits. For one, it helps in improving cyber security. AI analyzes and studies the activities of these cybercriminals. However, these efforts can backfire and may not be applicable in all cases. Instead of safeguarding customers, in fact, cybercriminals can use this AI technology to improve their cyberattacks.

Let’s look at the facts.

According to the Capgemini Research Institute, by 2020, around 2 out of 3 businesses are planning to employ AI as part of their cybersecurity measures. Moreover, their survey states that businesses believe that AI is important in bolstering one’s cyber security defenses. In fact, two-thirds of companies think that AI will aid in analyzing and diagnosing cyber threats. 69% of the businesses believe that AI is needed to address these threats lurking online.

What are the advantages?

Below are the various advantages in adding artificial intelligence (AI) to the core of your business’ cyber security:

  • Designed to be there 24/7 and unlike humans, AI-based security will work for hours and will not get tired.
  • Minimizes the time to respond to cyber threat. AI may only need seconds to identify threats. Meanwhile, humans may take hours, days, months to find such threats.
  • When it’s time-efficient, thus, AI will also help in simplifying the analysis of data.
  • AI can have a “predictive analytics” basing from the data collection. Humans can’t easily predict such things without analyzing tons of research data.
  • With more data on your hands, you can make AI technologies make better decisions. Thus, cyber security professionals can also arrived on more factual decisions.
  • Lastly, AI helps in improving accuracy. For instance, logging in through biometric machines proved to be more accurate.

How about the disadvantages?

If there are advantages, there’s also a set of disadvantages. No solution is perfect. So, expect a list of drawbacks when using AI technology.

  • Cybercriminals also use AI to strengthen their attacks. Take note, these cyber attacks are unique; there’s NO solution that would fit in all cases.
  • Cyber security solutions ain’t cheap! Smart technologies and AI solutions are quite expensive than your usual traditional approach.
  • AI technologies will not work well without requiring businesses to train their employees regarding the principles of cyber security and internet privacy.

Whether you focus on AI’s advantages or disadvantages, one thing is clear: AI will be the future. If you look at the numbers, in 2026, the artificial intelligence is expected to be around $ 38.2 billion. In 2019, it was only an estimated $ 8.8 billion, but the Research and Markets report indicates a continuing rise for AI. That’s a pretty huge leap in terms of figures!

To prepare for the future, we have a team of Omnipotech experts to help you. Call our sales and support team right now at 281-768-4800.

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The Top 3 Trends Impacting Cybersecurity Right Now

By 2021, Cybersecurity Ventures estimated that the cost of cybercrime damages would be $6 trillion, an increase from $3 trillion in 2015’s forecast.

Huge companies aren’t the only ones at stake here. In Verizon’s 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report, they revealed that 43% of the cyber threats involved small businesses. The worst part? Cyberattacks continue to flourish, and according to the insurance provider Hiscox, businesses would roughly need $200,000 to combat it. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 4 trends impacting cybersecurity in 2020.

Mobile Malware

  • According to ZDnet.com, mobile malware was the most common threat last year. This is not a surprise, knowing that mobile users are continuing to rise. In fact, Statista predicts that there will be around 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide by 2020. With these numbers expected to continually increase, malware attack would be a growing problem for many.
  • One of the popular types would be banking malware. Hackers everywhere are developing apps that would pretend as the real deal when, in fact, these aren’t legitimate apps.
  • In 2015, there were already over 1.6 million malicious installations designed to creep in mobile devices and collecting personal data such as bank information, password, and other login details.
  • Kaspersky Lab found a wide array of 30,000 banking-based malware, which were targeting 312,235 users. Mobile malware grew in numbers and, likewise, grew in landscape. You see, in 2018, banking trojan malwares were only part of the 1.85% of all the mobile attacks. However, as earlier as the first quarter of 2019, banking malware was already the culprit of 3.24% mobile threats.
  • Not only that, Kaspersky Lab also found out that Asacub, a specific malware that affects 58.4% of all banking attacks, was trying to infiltrate the mobile devices of 8,200 users each day. That’s just in 2019 alone!

Security in Cloud Computing

  • Everyone is moving to cloud computing. Many businesses opted to migrate to an online store instead of maintaining a brick and mortar store. Perhaps, they would want to tap a different demographic, or they simply want to start anew. However, businesses on the cloud are susceptible to data breaches.
  • Without understanding the solutions of these cloud computing tools, businesses could be vulnerable to threats. Big-time players in the business world – the popular streaming service Netflix, and the American multinational automaker Ford Motor Company – were not safe from such large-scale threats. A cloud backup provider hired by these companies exposed their data storage repository out in the open.

The Use of Automated Tools

  • As technologies continue to evolve, it’s not only the businesses that adapt. Attackers cope with it too! Cybercriminals are also keeping up with the changing times through the use of automated tools. With such tools, it’s easy to evade security measures and manage to steal.
  • In 2019, the Sophos MTR Team has uncovered that the cybercriminals have been automating their attacks in order to stealthily gain initial access. Once they have officially compromised the environment, they will shift to using traditional methods in order to identify crucial information such as the data vault, the backup servers, and other relevant files.
  • They continue to survey the environment until such a time that the attackers, eventually, mimic the style and behavior of the legitimate administrator. Businesses would not even notice such suspicious activity because it seems part of the normal and everyday routine.

 

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5 Signs It’s Time to Review Your IT Support

No IT provider is perfect. But while the odd issue may occur, you should be able to trust your provider to keep your company safe and running.

Occasionally, however, change is necessary. Maybe you’ve outgrown your IT provider, maybe they’re no longer performing at a sufficient standard. Whatever the case, it’s important you recognize the warning signs and act swiftly.

 

Here are 5 things that could suggest it’s time to change IT providers.

 

You’re spending too much time on IT-related matters

The whole point of having a managed service provider is to not spend time on IT issues. So if you find yourself constantly having to fix IT issues yourself or chase your IT provider for an update, it’s probably time to switch provider.

 

Your business suffers regular bouts of downtime

You rely on your servers, computers and software to do business. When they are down, you’re losing money. The occasional short blip may be acceptable, but extended periods of downtime are not. A lot of downtime can be easily avoided, so it probably means your IT provider isn’t doing their job.

 

Don’t put up with downtime, find a company who can sort the issue for good.

 

Rising security issues

You don’t have to be a big business to suffer a cyber attack. Small businesses with limited cybersecurity make easy and frequent targets for hackers. If you’ve suffered an attack and your IT provider has not been quick to respond, then they aren’t taking security seriously enough. Change your provider ASAP.

 

A lack of IT strategy

If you don’t have an IT strategy in place, this is a huge red flag that should make you think twice about your current IT provider. Managed service providers are consultants as much as they are technicians, and good ones will help you figure out your IT goals and how to achieve them.

 

It’s important to plan ahead and work out what your IT needs will look like in the future if your business continues to grow. If you’re doing this on your own — or not doing it at all — then changing your IT provider should be a priority.

 

No backups or disaster recovery

Do you know if your data is being backed up? What about what happens when you suffer and IT meltdown and need to recover everything?

 

Every business should make regular IT backups and have a disaster recovery plan in place. If you haven’t established one with your current provider, find one that can help. If you have, make sure you know exactly what happens and where everything is stored.

 

Backups are no joke. IT failure can happen at any time, so it’s important for you, as a business owner, to know what happens and where to turn.

 

If you’re looking for a new IT provider, we’re here to help. Here at OMNIPOTECH, we have helped more than 3000 users in 13 states and 11 countries resolve technology issues and reach their goals. You could be next.

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Do you have support for all your business devices?

Most business owners come to understand they are much better off when they have a competent and certified IT team looking after their computers. But what about the other devices you and your employees use to keep your company running?

Business owners spend a lot of money making sure they have a qualified IT technician looking after their PCs. But what about all their mobile devices that let employees work from anywhere? Unfortunately, a lot of business owners don’t think twice when it comes to mobile devices; and that often means they don’t have the support you need.

 

To help you understand the need for high-quality mobile device support, let’s look at exactly what most businesses need.

 

Proper mobile functionality

If you are spending a lot of money on mobile devices like phones and tablets, it’s important to make sure that they are working properly and that your team is able to use them seamlessly on the go. You need an IT provider who can set up all your business’ mobile devices, install the right technology so that employees can use them securely wherever they are, and put a plan in place to ensure they stay updated.

 

Reliable performance

Mobile devices have been designed to be as easy to use as possible. Almost anyone will be able to pick up a smartphone and tablet and be able to use it in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, this can mean that these devices aren’t as technically robust as desktop devices. That can make it hard to diagnose and fix problems when they do occur. As such, it is important that your IT provider is able to provide quick and efficient troubleshooting when your devices do play up.

 

Data security

Data security is another big issue for mobile devices and this is becoming an even bigger problem when more and more work is completed on them. Mobile devices are particularly easy to exploit and hack, which puts your data at risk.

 

You need an IT provider who is able to adequately protect devices to make sure that no matter how badly your employees use them, your sensitive business data is safe. If you let employees use their own devices, you’ll also need an IT provider who can draw up and implement a suitable BYOD policy, too.

 

Budgeting for device costs

As anyone who has bought a new phone recently will know, mobile devices aren’t cheap. When you’re buying them for your business, costs can quickly add up. That means proper budgeting is absolutely essential. A great IT provider will be able to sit down with you and help you find cost-effective solutions to your mobile device need, as well as budgeting for the new technology and updates needed to keep them secure.

 

Need better support for your business devices?

If you’re not getting the mobile device support that you need, it’s time to switch IT providers. Get in touch today to find out how our IT experts can help get your business mobile while keeping it secure.

 

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IT budgeting blunders to avoid

IT budgeting is tough and, from what we’ve heard, few businesses enjoy doing it. Most businesses can’t decide whether they are spending too much money or not enough; some believe they are doing both at once. Everyone wants to get more from their IT budget by spending less money.

The truth is that IT budgeting doesn’t have to be a headache. You can avoid a lot of stress by making sure that you avoid some of the most common IT budgeting mistakes. Here are the ones you need to know.

 

Buying technology your business doesn’t need

Yes, it’s important to upgrade your technology regularly, but you don’t need to do it every single year and you don’t need to spend a huge amount of money to do it. At the same time, you also don’t need every single shiny piece of new technology as soon as it comes out.

 

Buying a new Macbook probably isn’t going to hurt your business, but you need to be careful about overspending on technology that you just don’t need.

 

Not budgeting enough for the technology you do need

While there are some businesses that will want to spend money on every piece of new tech they can get their hands on, there are just as many businesses that don’t want to spend a single penny on IT technology even if they really need it.

 

IT technology moves fast and missing one or two important upgrades can seriously hamper the way your company does business. It’s a balancing act. You need to budget enough for the IT technology that matters while not overspending on stuff that doesn’t.

 

Not budgeting for the unexpected

Technology and IT isn’t a predictable business. There are often unplanned and emergency expenses that need to be made immediately for your business to carry on operating. The problem comes when these emergency purchases come when businesses aren’t prepared for them.

 

That’s why your IT budget needs to account for unplanned emergency expenses. Just allocating a small amount of money that you set aside and don’t touch is all you need to do. That way, when these issues do occur, you can roll with the punches.

 

Budgeting without the help of an expert

You need the help of an experienced IT consultant to successfully put together a good IT budget that manages to meet your goals while balancing the need to keep your bottom line healthy.

 

When business owners or executives try to budget for IT on their own, they can quickly run into a number of problems. Crucially, they often overlook important details and don’t spend enough money where it matters. While you always need to be in control of your own IT budget, it pays to have an expert on-hand to consult with.

 

Get the budgeting help you need

If you need help budgeting your IT needs, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to find out how we can lend a hand to make sure you’ve thought of everything.

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What does great IT support for small businesses look like?

Whenever we take on new clients, we are always amazed at the sub-par service that they had been putting up with before us. The trouble is, most small and medium-sized businesses don’t really know what to expect when it comes to IT support.

If you don’t know what to expect or what the right standard is, how do you expect to know whether you are receiving great IT service or not? That’s right, you can’t. So today we’re going to run through what you should expect to receive from great IT support. That way, if you aren’t receiving it, you can take steps to change it.

 

The right expertise

If you are going to be providing a crucial service to small and medium-sized businesses, then you need to know what you are talking about. Otherwise, you are going to do untold damage to every business that you come into contact with.

 

As a result, great IT support can only be provided by experts who not only understand the industry as a whole but who also take time to understand the specific needs of your business. Don’t settle for any IT provider who doesn’t take time to understand your needs or who doesn’t seem like they know what they are talking about.

Rapid response times

When you need support from your IT provider, you probably need it fast. That’s why it’s crucial to have an IT provider who repsonds immediately whenever you have an issue or a question. Every second your business’ IT is down, you are losing money. So don’t put up with an IT provider who doesn’t get back to you when you need it.

 

Proactive monitoring and maintenance

When you hire an IT provider, you should no longer have to worry about what technology needs updating and when. That’s the job of your IT provider, now. They are the ones that should be proactively monitoring your IT stack to make sure that it is up-to-date and secure. If you find out-of-date software in your setup then it’s time to start thinking about switching providers.

 

Personalized service

Every business is different. That’s why you need an IT consultant who appreciates that and who subsequently tailors their advice to each and every client. If your IT provider isn’t asking questions specific to your business and your goals, you can bet that they aren’t tailoring their service. And if that’s the case then it’s time to switch providers.

 

A clear contract

Your IT provider shouldn’t be trying to confuse you with complex billing; that’s another headache small businesses don’t need to deal with. Great IT providers provide crystal clear billing so that both parties know exactly what they are getting and how much it costs.

 

Switch provider if you’re not getting the support you need

Does it sound like you’re not getting great IT support for your small business? Then you need to switch providers ASAP and give our team a call today.

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What makes a great IT provider

It’s important you find a great IT provider for your business. You need to find one that can meet your goals but also has the experience to provide guidance when you need it. There are a lot of things that go into making a great IT provider and we’ll list out the most important of them below.

 

A great history

There are a lot of things that make an IT provider a great partner for businesses. One of the most important ones is time in business, however. The longer IT providers help businesses, the more proficient at it they become. That means you don’t want to trust a brand new IT provider with your business as they haven’t had a chance to work out all of the kings.

 

Lots of testimonials and case studies

It’s not enough to have a long history, however. A company can be in business for a long time but can do poor work for the entire time. You need proof that the IT provider can do the work and for that you need case studies and testimonials. A great IT provider will have a good number of up-to-date testimonials and case studies that prove that they can get the results your business needs.

 

Acts a consultant

You don’t just hire an IT provider to help when things go wrong. You also want them to advise you throughout the year so that you can take steps to avoid big problems.

 

A good IT provider will act as your partner when it comes to all things IT-related. They will sit down with you to discuss your current set up, advise how it can be improved and set up a disaster recovery plan that you can follow when things go wrong. They can even help you budget for everything so that you can stretch your IT budget as far as possible.

 

Proactively monitors your IT

The best IT providers don’t need you to call them when things go wrong, they already know. That’s because they are proactively monitoring your IT situation to look for issues and take action as soon as they find them.

 

With a proactive IT consultant, you don’t have to worry about things like data loss, downtime or viruses, your IT provider takes care of everything. If something does go wrong, you’re not waiting around for them to show up, either, they are already taking action to fix it.

 

Regular reports that keep you informed

The final thing that makes a great IT provider is communication. As a business owner, it’s important that you know everything that happens with your business, and that includes IT. That’s why a great IT provider will provide regular reports to let you know how your IT solution is being improved and what actions they are taking.

 

iF you are looking for a great IT provider, we tick all of the boxes above. We have a great history, we can prove our work makes a difference, we act as a consultant for your business, we proactively monitor your IT and we provide regular reports to keep you informed. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch today to work with a truly great IT provider.

 

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What to Look for in a Managed Service Agreement

You’ve spent weeks interviewing a bunch of different managed IT providers. You’ve finally found a company you think you can trust. Now it’s time to sign on the dotted line and commit yourself to a monthly or annual agreement.


Just hold on a second though.

 

Your work isn’t over just yet. There are a couple of things you need to look out for before signing a managed service agreement.

 

What isn’t included in the agreement?

Your managed IT agreement should cover almost anything that can happen IT-wise with your business. If you’ve chosen your provider wisely, they should be committed to keeping your IT infrastructure running smoothly and fixing any emergencies that may crop up.

 

Not every company provides the same level of coverage, however. That’s why you need to be upfront with your provider and ask implicitly what your managed service agreement doesn’t cover.

 

Who’s checking your systems?

Typically, a managed IT company will promise you 24-hour, seven-days-a-week monitoring of your IT infrastructure. They probably won’t tell you exactly who it is that will be monitoring your business. Will it, in fact, be the company themselves or will they outsource it to a third-party provider?

 

If the monitoring of your systems is outsourced, think twice before signing. Outsourced monitoring is typically of lower quality and slow to react. Time is everything when it comes to getting your systems back up online.

 

Is consulting included in the price?

It should be a given that technical IT work like maintenance repairs, upgrades, backups and software installations are included in your managed IT contract. But that’s not everything you should be receiving.

A good managed IT agreement will also include ongoing consulting to make sure that your current and future needs are being met. Make sure you are clear on what level of consulting you will receive, how often this will happen and how much you are paying for it.

 

How can you get out of the contract?

Hopefully, you’ll be incredibly satisfied with your IT provider. But you can never be too careful. That’s why it pays to understand the cancellation terms of your agreement before signing it.

 

You’ll want to know how you can terminate your contract early, what the process is for doing so and what costs will be incurred as a result. If you’ve done your homework, this shouldn’t be needed, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

Can you upgrade or add on to your agreement at a later date?

Hopefully, your business will grow considerably over the years that you are with your IT provider. IT needs change as businesses grow, however, which is why it’s important your IT agreement is able to grow with you.

 

As such, you’ll want to understand whether your IT agreement allows you to expand your service. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to know why and how you can do it otherwise. You’ll also want to make sure that your IT provider can handle your future needs, too.

 

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Why It’s Dangerous to Ignore It Investment

You may not believe it, but some studies have shown that over half of businesses have not invested in IT in the last two years. Then again, maybe you are one of these businesses.

It’s financially prudent to reduce costs where possible, but not investing in IT will only cost you more in the long run. Here’s why failing to invest in IT is a dangerous came to play and how you can get the best deal possible.

 

Not investing comes with a cost, and it’s high

You may think you’re saving money by not investing in IT, but doing nothing has a cost, too. It has become such an integral part of many businesses that even the smallest hiccup can cause big problems.

 

For one, under-investment can make your IT infrastructure incredibly unreliable. If your employees can’t trust that your systems will work, how can you expect them to do their job properly? Slow computers seriously impact productivity, which ends up costing you money.

 

Then there’s the issue of downtime. If you don’t invest any money into your IT infrastructure, it’s only a matter of time before it stops working completely Downtime costs businesses severely. Firstly, there is the lost productivity of employees not being able to work. But then there is also the cost of repair, the cost of recovery and the cost to your reputation if downtime means you end up disappointing customers.

 

Not investing in IT is not the answer. Here’s how you can start investing today and get the best deal possible.

 

Ask your provider or find a new one

If you already have an IT provider, talk to them about how you can invest in IT as smartly and cost-effectively as possible. IT companies know that businesses have tight budgets and are well versed in helping those companies get the most bang for their buck. Together, you should be able to come up with a plan that helps you to improve your IT infrastructure without emptying your bank account.

 

If you don’t have an IT provider or if your current IT provider can’t help you, it’s time to find a new one. Be upfront about your budget constraints when choosing a provider and make sure you find a company that offers value for money. Of course, don’t jump at the cheapest provider without thinking. If something is too good to be true, it probably is.

 

In some cases, the most cost-effective solution may be to work with IT providers to establish your needs and then go out and find machines and software yourself. It’s not in a provider’s interest to search for hours to save you a hundred bucks, but you may be able to save your company loads of money by buying end of the line stock and old software.

 

Here at OMNIPOTECH, we’ve helped dozens of cash-strapped companies get the best IT service their money can buy. We’re on hand to help you, too.

 

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Why switching IT providers is easier than you think

Finding a great IT provider is hard. That’s why so many companies would rather stick with a substandard provider than take the risk and switch to another. They take the view that it’s better to stick with what you’ve got than risk something worse.


IT has become such an important part of business that this mindset is detrimental to growth, however. You need great IT support if you are to grow as a company. What’s more, switching IT provider could be a lot easier than you think.

 

Don’t believe us? We’ll prove it. Here are the easy steps you need to take to switch providers and take advantage of better IT support.

 

Start by checking your contract

You’ll need to know how you can exit your current contract before you can sign a new one. Most IT companies will require you to provide notice before ending your contract and some may require you to pay a fee. As such it pays to know these conditions in advance of switching.

Know why you’re switching

If you’re to successfully find a new IT provide you will need to be clear on what’s missing from your current arrangement. How exactly are they failing to meet your IT needs? List out every way your IT company has let you down in the past and what you think you will need in the future.

 

You’ll also want to be clear on what worked well in your current arrangement so that you can make sure these things carry forward with your new provider. While you’re at it, make a list of your IT assets so that you can get a running start with your new provider.

 

Get prepared

You’ll want to get all of the information out of your current IT provider you can before going your separate ways. Start by asking for a current list of all usernames and passwords, as well as a copy of all your backups and any other specific information they may have. You’ll want to do this ahead of giving your notice as some companies will be slow to cooperate if they know a client is leaving anyway.

 

Make someone responsible

If you want your switch to go smoothly, assign one employee to be responsible. They will be the person in charge of contacting the current supplier and serving notice as well as the person responsible for finding a new provider. With one person in charge, you’re less likely to run into roadblocks.

 

Back-up everything

Before saying goodbye to your current provider make sure you have copies of all your data in your possession. Don’t rely on your outgoing provider to make those copies for you, do them yourself. If an IT issue arises in the period between IT providers, you need to be prepared for it.

 

You’re now ready to switch providers and find the IT support that your business deserves. If you are looking for someone new, why not try OMNIPOTECH. For almost two decades we’ve been helping more than 3000 users in 13 states and 11 countries get the IT support they need. Why not you, too?

 

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