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Technology That Fits Your Business

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Network environments in business are changing on a constant basis, but the typical system to authenticate and verify users' identities tends to be inflexible.  Many packages that seek to deliver secure authentication assume that the environment is homogenous, which implies that it is unchanging as well.  Directory integration, however, can be streamlined and improved using virtualization technologies that go beyond the assumption that all systems are operating on an SSO (single sign on) basis. 

One of the largest trends in the world of business computing is converged architecture, which is widely seen as one of the best IT solutions for addressing the increasing sprawl of IT resources.  As companies have added networking devices, servers, and storage units to their systems over time, they have seen more and more "silos" develop in their infrastructure. 

A firewall is a system that sits between a computer or network, and the Internet. It aims to protect the computer or network from unauthorized access and use. Firewalls work by inspecting the data that enters and exits the network, based on an organization’s rules and other custom configurations. It will prevent any viruses, worms, and other intrusions from entering and harming the network. Consequently, firewall solutions are a very important aspect in the security of a business.

Cloud computing is the latest operating model in business technology. With cloud technology, businesses need fewer devices and fewer onsite resources, thus streamlining operations. The most commonly outsourced cloud application for businesses is Exchange. Have you considered moving your Exchange server infrastructure into the cloud? It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of moving Exchange to the cloud as it is not for every organization.

You may have been approached by IT vendors in the past with quesitonable suggestions for a problem you are experiencing - in Part 2 of this blog post, the following examples will explore two additional reasons to raise red flags based on suggested solutions from a vendor to a basic problem.

Many businesses have a hard time deciding on the proper IT solution to fit their needs, a process made more complex by the number of options on the market. Common questions are, “Should I host my email on a server at my office or with a cloud-based solution provider?” Or “Should I buy iPhones or Androids as my mobile device solution?” Another hurdle to the decision making process is the sheer volume of options available to SMB’s surrounding technology—are you aware of how Network Access Controllers or Mobile Device Management can help your business?

Most small to medium sized businesses have historically found the mobile payment space to be a non-viable solution to their business needs. It has been one of a few new mobility solutions that is too fragmented, too expensive and too cumbersome to implement successfully. Most companies have found that to add mobile payments to their business model, they need additional capital to invest in more hardware than they've ever needed before.

Yesterday afternoon, emails from political advisor Sidney Blumenthal to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were reportedly hacked and distributed to various Russian politicians and news outlets, according to Forbes. The emails have yet to be verified as authentic, and some are concerned that the hacked emails were fake and may be used to position the political strategy of Russian politicians against the US.

IT companies that provide data security services often regard disaster prevention as separate from disaster recovery, though clearly, the two functions are closely related in many ways.  Disaster recovery is defined as those software tools, policies, and procedures that allow a business enterprise to deal with downtime and recover from it.  Disaster prevention, on the other hand, seeks to reduce the risk of downtime occurring in the first place.  Both services are necessary if a business is to have the best chance possible of avoiding IT events that will disrupt routines and cause issues with employee workflow.