Best Password Management for a Company

Businesses require the best password management to function correctly. Hackers will have an easier time breaking into your system if your passwords are easy to guess or if they are not in a secure location. This can cause problems for the firm, your clients, your consumers, and who knows what else. You don’t want something like that to take place!

You can find many trustworthy password management solutions suitable for businesses. Access some through your web browser, while others are applications. If you are looking for the most effective type of password management solution, select the ones hosted in the cloud.

The Benefits of Using a Password Manager Hosted in the Cloud

Compared to other types, cloud-based password managers offer more convenience and security. Cloud-based password managers offer more.

Many people are still reluctant to use cloud technology because they are concerned about their data’s security. They believe that since your cloud solutions are off-site rather than in your office, they are more prone to being attacked by malicious cyber actors. Your passwords will be secure if you store them on the cloud. And thanks to the highly advanced encryption methods used by most cloud providers, you’ll gain an extra layer of security.

A password management service that uses cloud technology will grant you greater access to your passwords, which improves your convenience. If there is an internet connection, it does not matter where in the globe you are or what kind of gadget you are using; you can access it from anywhere in the world. Besides that, using them is a breeze.

The Best Password Management Solutions Available to Businesses

As was just discussed, the current market offers a variety of programs that can work as company password managers. We would like to provide you with the most secure and dependable applications for your company. As a result, when we searched the internet for the five most effective options you can select, we restricted ourselves to cloud-based password managers alone.

LastPass is your Best Password Management

LastPass is an all-inclusive password management solution that offers a wide variety of features and services that will improve the safety of your company login information and its overall management. Password generation, auto-fill, and storage in the cloud are some features that are used by their customers the most frequently. For an additional layer of protection, they employ multi-factor authentication.

Dashlane 

Dashlane comes in at number two on our list. Besides the capabilities we’ve already discussed (password generation, auto-fill, and storage), it also monitors your activity on the dark web. If your login password becomes compromised, Dashlane will promptly notify you of the situation. It provides a safe Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that, no matter where you are in the world, enables you to connect to the internet quickly and securely.

1Password

1Password is an excellent solution to test if you are looking for a business password firm that will do much more than generate strong passwords for you and store them in a secure cloud location. If this sounds like what you are looking for, consider 1Password. They take password management to the next level by protecting your data with encryption of AES 256 bits, and their attentive monitoring will inform you as soon as they notice a breach or even the existence of a weak or duplicate password in your system. This is how they take password management to the next level.

Keeper

This is a password manager with several layers of protection, which is one of its most helpful features. Keeper uses end-to-end encryption to protect all your credentials, making it an excellent choice for commercial and personal use. They combine AES-256 encryption with PBKDF2 encryption, an innovative technique that is only used in networks with the highest level of security. This renders your data almost impossible for cybercriminals to access.

RoboForm

This shows you do not need to spend thousands of dollars on top-quality password security. RoboForm has one of the most inexpensive monthly membership costs available today, but it does not provide as many features as some of the other solutions that cost more money. They offer trustworthy password audits, auto-fill, and multi-factor authentication, all of which are keep your login credentials protected.

A Few Parting Thoughts For A Best Password Management

Password managers, as you can see, offer a variety of functions, so you need to investigate each one thoroughly to select the one that is most suitable for your company. Security, interoperability with your other business tools, convenience of use, and compliance with standards that relate to your industry, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), would be the most important aspects to take into consideration.

To further protect your data, Download our Free Password Management cheat sheet.  Also, watch our cloud webinar about password safety and management. Need help with passwords or security? We’re here for your company.

Why Businesses Need to Implement Password Management

In matters of internet security, the dangers increase in tandem with the progression of digital technology. Because malicious cyber activity is still widespread, it is more important than ever for organizations to put in place tried-and-true security protocols. There are many approaches to safety and security that a company might implement. Using first-rate password management solutions is one of the most straightforward methods and one of the most efficient.

What Does It Mean to Manage Passwords?

A company’s procedures for maintaining the confidentiality of its users’ passwords is referred to as “password management.” It encompasses everything related to passwords, from learning how to select a strong password and keeping it a secret to employing sophisticated software to store and routinely update a company’s whole database of passwords. It also includes knowing how to select a strong password.

Everyone knows how vital it is to select passwords that are challenging to crack and to take precautions to ensure that no one else is privy to one’s credentials. But that’s far simpler to say than it is to do. People have a terrible habit of forgetting their passwords. Because of this, it’s a good idea to store all your passwords in a secure location, whether it’s a digital file on your computer or a physical notebook with your passwords. However, the security of methods for storing passwords is questionable. Password managers can help in this situation.

Why Businesses Need Password Management Software

A password manager can benefit your company, especially if most of your operations and transactions happen online, as is typical today. Today, we conduct most business online. A web browser-based manager, a portable manager, a desktop-based manager, or a cloud-based manager are several kinds of managers used today. The second option is the one that is essential for commercial settings. Why so? Here are some excellent reasons.

You don’t have to remember every password that you have.

Almost everything we do online requires logging in as a precautionary measure. The typical person must keep track of at least a dozen separate passwords. Perhaps using the same password for all your accounts will make it easier for you to remember them, but doing so is not at all secure.

With password management, you won’t have to remember as many passwords because the software will remember them for you. This feature makes remembering passwords a lot easier. Because of this, you will have reduced mental congestion, which leads to increased work productivity. You only need to remember one password to use the password manager.

You can access your passwords regardless of where you are.

Because your IT provider hosts your password manager in the cloud, you can access it from any location if you can connect to the internet. It’s not just you. Any person granted permission to access the account will also be able to get access to the passwords.

You will have increased protection if you have Password Management.

Using cloud-based password managers, like many other cloud services, gives you solid security safeguards that you can rely on. If you use the password manager to generate passwords, which is another one of their functions, they will give you something more secure than your birthday or the name of your spouse as a password. If you use the password manager to store your passwords, it will do so securely.

An Additional Layer of Protection

A password manager is an extremely helpful tool, both in terms of convenience and safety. As the owner of a business, you may also use many other innovative options to safeguard the confidentiality of your information. Using biometrics as an alternate login method is currently one of the most widespread options in the modern world.

Biometrics

Because biometrics use an individual’s distinctive physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, as well as facial or voice recognition, nobody else can access an individual’s account without that individual’s permission.

Multi-factor Authentication with Password Management

This is yet another method that may increase the safety of passwords. The additional steps of verification will significantly cut down on the likelihood that unauthorized individuals will gain access.

Protect Your Company by Keeping Your Passwords Private and Secure

Watch our Webinar on Digital Estate Planning and why Password Management is a must. Even though it may seem like such a trivial matter, keeping your passwords safe and secure is necessary to ensure the integrity of your company. Contact us right now so we can start setting up a password management system that’s right for you.

How Do MSP Mergers and Acquisitions Impact Your Business?

We have seen a significant rise in the number of MSPs and solution providers selling out to larger corporations. They are also selling to hedge funds in recent years. This trend of MSP mergers has been going on around the world. With this trend, there is no sign that it is going to turn in a different direction anytime soon.

Why Are Big Corporations Buying out MSP Companies?

Large IT companies are actively gunning for mergers or acquisitions because the MSP business is currently highly lucrative. The market is currently at a value of $223 billion and said it will reach $330 billion by 2025. Corporations recognize the strong growth potential of the MSP industry, but they don’t necessarily want to start a new company themselves. Indeed, why build one from scratch when MSP Mergers can find many MSPs out there willing to sell?

Also, these corporations are banking on the illusion of choice and keeping their current customers. They take control of multiple MSP companies while retaining their original names. People mistakenly believe that they have a wide selection of MSPs to choose from when, in reality, the majority of them belong to the same conglomerate.

Take Accenture, for instance. In 2023 alone, they will have acquired 8 different IT provider companies. It appears to the public that these MSPs are industry rivals. In truth, they are all bringing in revenue for Accenture. Trailing at a close second is The 20 MSP, which has already acquired seven MSPs so far this year.

Why Are MSP Owners Choosing to Sell Their Companies?

From the MSP owner’s perspective, selling the company could indeed be the best course of action considering the situation at hand. The most common reasons that they cite for doing so are burnout, health, retirement, partner disputes, or shifting to a different line of business.

It does seem like a win-win situation for everyone until you take a look at how the situation impacts the client companies of the MSP that has just been bought. Yes, we are talking about businesses like yours. Where does it leave you if a sizable corporation suddenly acquires the MSP you had chosen to work with?

Effects of MSP Mergers on Client Businesses

IT companies have their valid reasons for selling out; oftentimes, it has to do with money. But regardless of what good it might have done for them, the acquisition typically leaves their clients in the lurch. Of course, the big corporation promises to take care of all the clients in the same way that they have always been taken care of. But the truth is that everything will change, and not necessarily for the better.

As a business owner, you rely heavily on your MSP to take care of your digital operations. You’ve probably been staying with them all this time because they provide excellent service. You are happy with the IT guy working for you, and their location is near you.

But what if you wake up one day and everything is different? It is pretty normal for service quality to drop after an acquisition. You might go from being a highly VIP client to just one of the hundreds or even thousands.

With the change of management, you will likely have a completely new IT team that did not work with you before. But what’s even worse is that these professionals are usually miles away from your physical location and can only serve you remotely. They can go to you but their travel expenses will go on your bill. That is something you do not want at all with MSP Mergers!

What to Do If Your MSP Is Getting Bought Out By MSP Mergers

There are two main choices you can make once you find out your MSP is up for acquisition. One is to stay with them and hope things settle down quickly. In all likelihood, the new owners will want to hear your feedback because, after all, they want to keep your business. Take this opportunity to air your concerns and give them time to make adjustments to better serve your needs.

Now, if things have changed to the point that you are no longer satisfied with the service, you can always switch to a new provider. Despite the continuing M&A trends in the IT industry, there are still plenty of local MSPs that have not sold out.

Check out a few and see what else is out there. Here at our company, we would be very happy to help you sort things out, discuss your needs, and maybe even provide you with the services that you are looking for. Check out the MSPs that big businesses have acquired just in 2023. It will surprise you if you find out where these large corporations’ locations are. It’s no wonder why small businesses are suffering from acquisitions. 2023 MSP Acquisitions

And if your agreement confuses you and want to know how you can get out of it, call us today, and let’s talk!

The Biggest Cybersecurity Threats of 2023

As the world becomes an increasingly tech-reliant place, the threat of cybercrime continues to grow. Cybersecurity threats can come from a variety of places and at various scales. From nation-states and terrorist groups to individual hackers, there’s no end to the possible sources of cybersecurity threats. In this blog, we’ll discuss the common sources and types of cybersecurity threats and break down how you can stay protected in a scary digital world.

Common Sources of Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity threats come from many different sources. They can range from individual attacks to large government-run operations from hostile countries. Here are a few common sources of cybersecurity threats that could impact your organization:

  • Nation-States: Foreign nations with hostile intentions may use sophisticated technologies to infiltrate local institutions and cause chaos, disrupting communication channels and causing irreversible harm in the process. The potential consequences of such attacks cannot be overstated, and it is up to individuals and organizations to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to safeguard their online assets.
  • Terrorist Organizations: In the realm of modern warfare, terrorists have devised a new means of destruction – cyber attacks. These attacks are typically aimed at crippling vital infrastructure, wreaking havoc on economies, threatening national security, and even endangering the lives and well-being of innocent citizens.
  • Criminal Groups: Sophisticated gangs of cybercriminals are exploiting advanced tactics to infiltrate computer systems with the intent of reaping economic rewards. Through a combination of phishing, spamming, and malware, these nefarious organizations are stealing private data, perpetrating online scams, and extorting their victims. Even the most vigilant digital security measures can be compromised, leading to potentially dire consequences for individuals and businesses alike.
  • Hackers: The threat of individuals targeting organizations through hacking techniques is an ongoing concern. Driven by a variety of motives, including personal gain, financial profit, or political activism, hackers often seek to bring chaos to the digital world. In the quest to improve their skills and reputation within the hacker community, these individuals continually develop new and innovative ways to cause harm to their targets.
  • Malicious Insiders: Insider threats refer to an enemy within, wreaking havoc from right under the organization’s nose. These sly attackers are individuals who have legitimate access to a company’s assets but choose to abuse their privileges to either steal information or cause damage to the computing systems. Insiders can come in different forms, including employees, contractors, suppliers, or even partners of the target organization, and in some cases, intruders who have hacked into privileged accounts and are masquerading as the account owner.

Common Types of Cybersecurity Threats

As technology and security measures advance, so do the ways in which cybersecurity threats are carried out. Here are some of the most common types of cybersecurity threats in 2023:

  • Malware Attacks: Malware covers a range of malicious software, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware, all designed to infiltrate and wreak havoc on computer systems. These dangerous programs can enter your systems through links on untrusted websites or emails or through the download of unwanted software. Once inside, malware can manipulate and block access to important network components, as well as collect sensitive data and even shut down entire systems.
  • Social Engineering Attacks: Social engineering attacks involve tricking unsuspecting users into letting them in by posing as a trustworthy source. The results can be devastating, leaving the victim with compromised security and potential malware lurking on their device. Some of the most common examples of social engineering attacks include: baiting, pretexting, phishing or spear-phishing, piggybacking, and tailgating.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Supply chain attacks are a new and dangerous form of cyberthreat, exploiting legitimate applications to spread malware via source code or update mechanisms. Attackers target insecure network protocols, server infrastructure and coding techniques in order to compromise build processes, modify the software’s source code without detection from vendors and stealthily conceal malicious content.

Cybersecurity Solutions That Work

At FIT Solutions, we understand that the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity threats can seem daunting. With a wide array of sources and types of threats, it can seem like everyone is out to get you. That’s why you need the team of experts at FIT Solutions on your side. Our cybersecurity solutions will help keep your organization safe and give you the peace of mind you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more about how we can protect you from cybersecurity threats.

Penetration Testing Explained: Best Cybersecurity Practices

Penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is an essential cybersecurity practice that involves a skilled professional attempting to uncover and exploit weaknesses in computer systems. This simulated attack is designed to assess the effectiveness of a system’s defense mechanisms and reveal any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. Through pen testing, organizations can stay ahead of security threats and prevent potential attacks.

To give an example of what this looks like, imagine a high-stakes game of cat and mouse as a bank hires an individual to play the role of a burglar and attempt to break into their building. The ultimate objective is to gain access to the all-important vault. This clever strategy allows the bank to gain valuable insight into exactly how vulnerable their security measures are. If the imitation burglar succeeds, the bank will be able to take immediate action to fortify its defenses and ensure its customers’ assets are protected. This is basically how penetration testing works. Any weaknesses or vulnerabilities discovered are reported, and an organization can then make the necessary changes to its security practices. 

 

Who Performs Penetration Testing?

A pen test can be a crucial step in securing a system, but it’s not just about identifying the obvious vulnerabilities that automated testing could catch. In fact, the most valuable insights come from pen testers who are unfamiliar with the system. Often referred to as ‘ethical hackers,’ these contractors are brought in to identify blind spots. They use real-world techniques that are currently in use by malicious actors to not just identify gaps, but how several seemingly minor vulnerabilities could be linked together to create a much bigger threat. It’s a delicate balancing act – hacking into a system ethically – but the results lead to a more secure environment.

Ethical hacking is more than just a skillset; it’s a diverse and dynamic field that attracts a wide range of experts. Some ethical hackers hold impressive credentials, with advanced degrees and official certifications in pen testing. Yet others come from unconventional backgrounds and learned their skills through trial and error, often by transitioning from the dark side of hacking to the light. However, to find the best ethical hacker for a specific job, it is essential to consider the target company and the objectives of the pen test. In this way, pen testing is both an art and a science, tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization.

 

How is Penetration Testing Carried Out?

A crucial component of pen testing involves an initial phase of reconnaissance, where a skilled ethical hacker painstakingly collects the raw materials necessary to craft their simulated assault. From there, the emphasis shifts to actively infiltrating and persistently controlling the target system, a feat that demands a diverse arsenal of specialized tools and techniques.

Unleashing a successful hack depends on having the right arsenal, and savvy ethical hackers know how to deploy an array of tools and tactics to uncover vulnerabilities within a network. Whether it’s software programs specifically designed to carry out forceful brute attacks or SQL injections, or small, innocuous-looking boxes that can be plugged into a computer to remotely infiltrate a network, these hackers have at their disposal a diverse range of hardware and software to uncover potential security gaps. But that’s only half the battle. The most experienced ethical hackers understand that human touch can further open doors. Through the use of social engineering techniques, where, for instance, the hacker can send fake emails to employees or even show up at the company disguised as a delivery person or tech support, they exploit the human tendency to trust.

 

How Can Penetration Testing Help You?

Penetration testing is a powerful tool that can help organizations identify and patch up system vulnerabilities before they are exposed.  Investing in proper pen tests now will save you time and money down the road—not to mention give you peace of mind knowing that your sensitive information is secure. With the team at FIT Solutions, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting the absolute best penetration testing services around. For more information about penetration testing or any of the other services we offer, contact us today.

What is Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)?

In the world of cybersecurity, there’s a powerful ally keeping watch over organizations’ sensitive data – a SIEM tool, or Security Information and Event Management. This advanced solution acts like a security guard, constantly scanning for suspicious activity and alerting teams to potential threats before they can wreak havoc. Using sophisticated AI technology, a SIEM tool automates many of the time-consuming processes of threat detection and response, making it an indispensable tool for modern-day Security Operation Centers (SOCs). With its ability to uncover user behavior anomalies and pinpoint vulnerabilities, a SIEM tool is a game-changing solution for safeguarding against security breaches and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

SIEM has transformed from basic log management to a robust process that harnesses the potential of AI and machine learning to deliver advanced user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA). It’s like a finely-tuned orchestra, expertly communicating and coordinating data sources to protect against evolving threats. SIEM is also a powerful conductor for regulatory compliance and reporting, ensuring that your organization stays in tune with industry standards.

How Does SIEM Work?

Fundamentally, SIEM solutions are like vigilant guardians, tirelessly collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to detect any signs of danger lurking in the shadows. While some tools may boast unique features, they all share a common purpose – to safeguard against cyber threats and ensure regulatory compliance. While some solutions’ capabilities vary, most offer the same core functionalities:

  • Log Management: SIEM is a sophisticated system that collects and analyzes vital event data from multiple sources throughout an organization’s network, bringing disparate logs and flow data into one central storage location. By consolidating this information in real-time, IT and security teams can more easily respond to potential security threats. SIEM solutions often incorporate the use of third-party threat intelligence feeds to detect and block new types of attack signatures. Through continuous integration with real-time threat feeds, SIEM becomes a powerful tool in the fight against online security threats.
  • Event Correlation and Analytics: Event correlation is an integral component of any first-rate SIEM system. Skillfully analyzing complex data sets and event correlation uncovers valuable insights that allow IT security teams to swiftly identify and address possible threats to enterprise security. With the help of advanced analytics, SIEM systems reduce the average time to detect and respond – freeing up valuable time and resources previously dedicated to cumbersome manual tasks associated with deep-dive security analysis.
  • Incident Monitoring and Security Alerts: SIEM solutions empower organizations to seamlessly manage their on-premise and cloud-based infrastructure. This cutting-edge technology efficiently detects all entities of the IT environment, which enables it to watch out for security incidents in connected users, devices, and applications. Through its exceptional ability to classify abnormal behavior, SIEM technology provides instantaneous alerts and enables administrators to take prompt action to prevent significant security threats. Customizable correlation rules further enhance this process, cementing the efficacy of SIEM solutions in safeguarding critical systems and data.
  • Compliance Management and Reporting: Sophisticated enterprises use SIEM solutions to navigate the regulatory landscape with ease. By automating the collection and analysis of data, SIEM proves to be an invaluable tool to verify compliance across organizations’ infrastructure. Real-time reports can be generated for various compliance standards, including PCI-DSS, GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX. SIEM lightens the load of security management, detecting possible violations at the earliest stages. In addition, pre-built and ready-to-install apps can generate reports, streamlining the compliance process.

The Benefits of SIEM

It is crucial for organizations of all sizes to be vigilant in detecting and preventing IT security threats. Implementing SIEM can provide numerous advantages by simplifying the security process. The benefits of SIEM include advanced real-time threat recognition, regulatory compliance auditing, AI-driven automation, improved organizational efficiency, detecting advanced and unknown threats, conducting forensic investigations, assessing and reporting on compliance, and monitoring users and applications.

SIEM solutions are a powerful tool for organizations of all sizes to have in their arsenal. For more information on SIEM and other cybersecurity solutions, contact FIT Solutions today.

FIT Solutions and Cardone Ventures Acquire Stryker Networks

This brand-new joint venture partnership is said to bring massive growth, scaling, and wealth-creation opportunities for all businesses involved.

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2023 / Cardone Ventures, co-founded by Grant Cardone and Brandon Dawson, are proud to announce their most recent acquisition of Stryker Networks-a direct result of their partnership with FIT Solutions, owned by Ephraim Ebstein. The goal behind the acquisition is to provide thousands of cyber management operators within their networks with massive opportunities for growth and scaling, thus continuing the national rollout of the 10X Cyber management company.

Grant Cardone and Brandon Dawson
Grant Cardone and Brandon Dawson

“Partnering with Grant, Brandon, and the Cardone Ventures team was a no-brainer for me,” says Ephraim Ebstein, founder of FIT Solutions. “I saw the vision they had, the team behind them, and data to back it all up… My team and I are excited to be a part of that story.”

Acquiring Stryker Networks is just the beginning for Cardone Ventures and FIT Solutions. Both businesses understand the importance of bringing value for their customers. With a shared mission and vision, Grant, Brandon, Ephraim, and Mark Greene (owner of Stryker Networks) are ready to do whatever it takes to make their goals a reality.

“Our intention is to disrupt the cyber security space by partnering with business owners like Ephraim and companies like FIT Solutions,” says Brandon Dawson, CEO and co-founder of Cardone Ventures. “This joint venture will help us continue down the path toward building our world-class, national organization.”

Cardone Ventures’ affiliate 10X Cyber and Management Services and its partners are ready to revolutionize the industry and provide massive value to their clients. And with the right foundations in place, there’s no telling how far the teams at Cardone Ventures, FIT Solutions, and Stryker Networks will go.

About Cardone Ventures: Cardone Ventures is a business consulting company founded by Grant Cardone and Brandon Dawson that helps business owners attain their personal, professional, and financial goals. Together, they help business owners experience their company from a 360-degree perspective, including operations, marketing, finance, and people. Cardone Ventures’ focus is to help entrepreneurs grow from $2 million to $500 million+ and 10X all aspects of their business. The brand new Cardone Ventures Scottsdale Headquarters is located at 4800 N Scottsdale Rd. Suite 5500, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. For more information on Cardone Ventures, visit: https://www.cardoneventures.com

About FIT Solutions: FIT Solutions is a leading provider of IT services and solutions. They specialize in Managed IT, Enterprise IT, Cybersecurity, Cloud Services, IT Projects, and Healthcare IT. Their team of certified professionals is dedicated to keeping up with the latest technologies and trends so they can provide the best solutions for their clients. Whether you need Managed IT, Enterprise IT, Cloud Services, Cybersecurity, or Healthcare IT services, FIT has the expertise and resources to help your organization reach its technology goals quickly and cost-effectively. Learn more about each of the individual IT and managed cybersecurity services by clicking here: https://fitsolutions.biz

Contact Information

Jeremy Gabbert
EVP of Revenue and Marketing
[email protected]
503-536-0997

SOURCE: Cardone Ventures

Should I Lease Multiple Domains for Cybersecurity?

Recently we hosted a webinar on Phishing & Whaling—How to Protect Yourself and Your Team. Melinda, one of our Solutions Executives, and Stormy, from our vCISO team, shared real-life examples and valuable insights to help educate business owners on the threats they face on a daily basis.

As Stormy explained examples of whaling attacks, one of our audience members posed an intriguing question: if cybercriminals are purchasing lookalike domains in order to phish you, would leasing multiple domains help prevent that?

Stormy’s answer? Both yes and no. Let’s get a little more context.

 

THE THREAT

One common scheme used in phishing attacks is domain spoofing, where a criminal leases a domain that is very similar to yours. For example, if your website is www.LawFirmABC.com, the attacker might lease www.LawFlrmABC.com, swapping the I for an L. Then he sets up an email address at that domain and sends an email to one of your team members posing as an employee. The swapped letter is easy to miss during a quick scan of an email that otherwise looks legitimate.

 

THE PROPOSED SOLUTION

Given that this scheme relies on the domains being fairly similar, the concept is that if you’re leasing multiple lookalike domains, you’ll keep them out of criminal hands and protect your organization against this type of attack.

In theory, yes, this could help. In fact, large companies like Google do this for this exact reason. When our own team uses domain spoofing during a social engineering campaign for a client, we turn any lookalike domains we leased over to the client’s control after the campaign ends. However, leasing multiple domains is not enough.

 

THE BETTER SOLUTION

In practice, this defense isn’t really practical; there are too many possible combinations to feasibly lease them all. Plus, it could lull your team into a false sense of security. The money you might spend leasing those domains would be better invested in cybersecurity awareness training for your employees. Staying alert and on guard at all times is vital to maintaining your organization’s security.

 

FIT Cybersecurity provides cybersecurity education and social engineering campaigns to organizations across all industries. If you’d like to test your company’s defenses or your team’s awareness of common cybercrime tactics, give us a call today at 888-683-6573 or contact us here.

Idea Fest 2021

It’s that time again! We recently hosted our fourth annual Idea Fest, a Shark Tank-style forum where employees present their ideas for company improvement. Presentations may focus on streamlining a particular job or task, better emulating our core values, improving the company’s bottom line, or enhancing the service we provide to our clients and partners. Instead of just identifying problems or areas that could be improved, Idea Fest focuses on solutions; presenters are expected to include a plan for implementation. We have two prizes: a $50 gift card for the best idea, and another $50 gift card for the best presentation.

Each presenter has 5-10 minutes to explain their idea, followed by a brief Q&A session with the rest of the team. At the close of Idea Fest, all attendees vote on their favorite idea and presentation, and the management team meets later to organize execution of the ideas.

This year, we had three presenters:

  • Natasha Herrera, our COO, outlined a Road Trip system for updating employees on recent company updates
  • Josh Insel, IT Engineer from Team 4, won Best Idea for his proposal of a longevity bonus
  • Rachel Roybal, our HR Director, won Best Presentation with her idea to create a “FIT Kit” welcome package for new hires

Best Idea: Longevity Bonus

Technology has the highest turnover rate of U.S. industries, so employee retention is a huge focus for most businesses. We are always looking for ways to make sure that we are providing a stable workplace with both room and support for growth. Idea Fest is one of those ways; it allows team members to share their innovations and ideas so we can all grow together.

Josh’s idea was to provide an extra incentive as a thank you to long-term employees; every additional year an employee sticks with the FIT family, they are eligible for a bonus that increases with their tenure. Color us (not at all) surprised: everybody loved this idea!

Best Presentation: New Hire Welcome Package

Keeping with the theme of employee retention and happiness, our HR Director Rachel suggested a “FIT Kit” to be sent to new hires before their start date. Especially while the bulk of the company is working remotely, a welcome kit is a great way to showcase FIT culture and help new team members get a feel for who we are.

The proposed kit would include a note from our CEO, employee testimonials, our core values, and of course, some FIT swag! One of our core values is to create a Raving Fan culture, both internally and externally, and we loved this idea on how to create raving fans out of our new hires! A big part of our team growth has been through employee referrals, underscoring the appropriateness of the Walt Disney quote Rachel used to kick off her presentation: “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and again and bring their friend.”

We’re stoked to see how the FIT Kit turns out!

Runner-Up: Virtual “Road Trip”

Natasha, our COO, tied with Rachel for Best Presentation. She pitched a virtual “Company Road Trip” idea. The road trip would be set up as an online presentation of company changes and updates over the previous quarter: new hires, internal job openings, new technology or applications we’re using, exciting new goals, an update on company growth, etc.

It would also include a “road closures” list: anything that is changing or being streamlined. Teams or departments could choose to complete the road trip together, or individually. After completion, employees qualify for souvenir swag.

A central figure in this road trip idea was Fitzgerald, or Fitzy, Natasha’s proposed new mascot for internal FIT functions. We enjoyed meeting Fitzy 1.0 and who knows, maybe we’ll see him again on some FIT swag!

We love that our team is constantly looking for ways to help us improve and move forward! That innovation is one of our core values, and Idea Fest is the perfect showcase for that creativity. Thanks for tuning in!

If you want to join a fast-growing team that thrives on ideas, team input, and raving fan culture, we’d love to talk to you! Head over to our Careers page to see if we’ve got an opening that suits you.

Who’s On Your Bench? Teaching & Delegating for Growth

And we’re back for round 3 of our core values discussion! Our ‘Teach & Delegate’ core value is near and dear to our hearts. Many organizations tend to focus on formal, structured training—a rigid, chalkboard-style approach to teaching. That has its place, but we can’t neglect teaching by example—the qualitative skills team members pick up from everyday interactions with leadership. As most parents can attest, we imitate what we see rather than what we hear.

Training at the Company Level

How do you teach others to teach? To lead? The FIT team is more than halfway through a 15-week training course for our entire organization. Each Tuesday, we have a companywide roundtable where employees discuss what they learned and enjoyed, leadership shares how the training applies to our business, and we have a question-and-answer session to make sure that application is clear.

As leaders of our organization, we have the responsibility to lead by example, to show that our core values are not just standards for company conduct, but standards for our personal lives and choices. For us, this involves encouraging participation, inviting employees to share their stories and struggles and wins, how they have applied or want to apply the concepts we’re discussing.

Training at the Employee Level

Companies invest hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in training their staff. Training Magazine’s 2019 Training Industry Report found that on average, employees received 42.1 hours of training annually. However, that training is usually designed to help an employee better fulfill their existing role—not to prepare them for the next one.

At FIT, we have this concept of “being on the bench.” To move up in the company, you need to seek out mentors, learn the roles and responsibilities of the job you want, and “be on the bench” for that position. By the same token, though, you can’t move out of your position unless you have someone on your bench. This cycle of learning and teaching allows for smoother transitions and more internal hiring.

To help with this passing of the baton, our teams are recording hundreds of videos documenting our processes and knowledge across all departments, making it even easier to “be on the bench.”

Elevation Through Delegation

It’s difficult to discuss the topics of teaching and delegating separately because they’re so intrinsically linked. They also tie in with our other core values, such as constructive communication and staying humble and adaptable.

Much of the business world today is infamous for its selfish, me-first spirit: climb the corporate ladder, always look out for #1 or people will take advantage of you. Few people would actively endorse these messages, but there’s definitely a feeling of “that’s just the way it is, so to be successful, I’ve got to play by those rules.”

At FIT, we feel that we can’t be successful—as leaders, as individuals, as a company—if our staff isn’t successful. For us to do well, our employees need to do well. We want to elevate our team, because it elevates us. The same applies between employees; we will not succeed as a team if everybody isn’t working to elevate both themselves AND each other.

As an example of delegation, we recently hired a new engineer named Rance. Usually, Shane, who manages our engineering teams, would be responsible for training a new hire. However, fellow engineer Douglas (who, on a related note, won Best Idea at our Idea Fest for his plan of creating more structured mentorship for new hires) volunteered to train Rance, and Shane agreed to delegate that responsibility to him. We love when team members engage like this; it strengthens the team bond, trains employees for managerial responsibilities, and creates a sustainable cycle of growth.

What Makes Delegating Hard?

It can be difficult to delegate: maybe the job won’t get done as quickly as you’d like, or you’re worried that sharing your knowledge or responsibilities will make you irrelevant or dispensable. But if you don’t delegate, you can’t grow. If a rock climber never let go of one hold, he’d never scale the wall.

You can’t delegate if you’re worried about yourself, your position, your success. Going back to the “bench” concept, are you taking the time to train and mentor, to invest in and elevate someone else? Doing it yourself may be faster, but delegating means restraining yourself from doing a task, and allowing someone else to do it slower.

When you let go of that ego and elevate those around you by sharing your knowledge, you elevate yourself, too.

How It Benefits You

We want to elevate, not just ourselves and our team, but also our clients and partners. Our mission is to help businesses achieve their growth goals as smoothly as possible. If you’re ready to elevate your business, give us a call today at 888-339-5694 or contact us here.

Get in touch.

Fill out the form and our team will get
back to you as soon as we can!