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Category Archive for: 'Strategy'

Protecting SMBs from Cyber Risks Using the NIST Framework

After SMBs Identify risks in the first step of the NIST Framework, the second step defines the process to Protect your assets. We like to refer to this NIST step as making the “security sandwich.” We like this metaphor because we incorporate layers of protection to shield data and systems from hackers. When I say layers, I mean layers; lots of layers. The layers create …

Identifying Cyber Risks in SMBs Using the NIST Framework

Frameworks are great for consultant presentations, but are they relevant to how work actually gets done in the real world? No doubt I have seen my share of boil-the-ocean IT models. I, like most of the pragmatic business leaders of our clients, don’t have time for them. That is why I like identifying cyber risks in SMBs using the NIST Framework. It provides a sophisticated …

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Why Cybersecurity Standards are Important to SMBs: Don’t Let Customers Catch You With Your Security Pants Down

I’m often asked if cybersecurity standards are important to SMBs. You bet your sweet bippy! I’ve seen this story play out more and more the past several years: One of our clients frantically contacts us because one of their customers wants to know if their company adheres to any security standard like SOC 2, NIST, ISO, PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, etc. and, if so, can they …

The Coming SMB Data Security Compliance Squeeze

Data security compliance has been coming after you for a while. It’s now picking up speed whether you like it or not. A couple of years ago the European Union issued GDPR to help protect citizens’ data rights. Companies that have any data from individuals who reside in the EU fall under this mandate, even if it’s just a simple online form. California, New York, …

Would you rather….

Nearly all companies today find themselves in a similar surreal business situation. However, ask yourself, would you rather expend your energy fighting to keep everything status quo or ante up to suffer the pain of change? Would you rather stagnate in the new COVID-19 reality and hope everything will work out or face the fact that your business must do things differently to thrive? Truth …

A CFO’s Concern for IT in the New Normal

I recently had a conversation with a CFO of a smart company. She is making post-pandemic changes to her IT and was referred to Waident by a client. On the surface, Waident is a perfect fit to help her and her team. We work with several firms in her industry with a similar workforce, technology platforms, and geographic dispersion. We support all their people and …

Resilient IT: The Pragmatic Solution to a post-COVID19 World—Or Any Other Fiasco

Companies with Resilient IT approach technology strategically and proactively. Resilient IT reduces the frequency, severity, and duration of fiascoes. More importantly, it gives you an evergreen lens through which to make important IT decisions for the post-COVID-19 world.

What is Your New Normal Going to Look Like?

Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, and be intentional about new habits. We can make our new normal any way we want. – Kristin Armstrong, Three-time Olympic gold medalist Many of us have been focused on keeping our companies afloat—conserving cash, protecting employees, retaining customers, adapting to “martial law,” and navigating new layers …

Zoom Video Conferencing – Who Gives a Sh*t About Security Anyway

You’re stuck working at home like everyone else and your company suddenly needs to figure out how to handle team communication while the COVID-19 pandemic is happening. Someone does a quick search for tools and they find Zoom, a newer platform that is popular with millennials and getting some good press. Why go with some old dodgy system that has been around for many many …

COVID 19 + Working From Home = CyberRisk

Who would have thought a month ago that your entire team would be working remotely and that they would need to be doing it for months? I can’t get the phrase “Crazy Times” out of my head every time I think about it. Do you know who is really enjoying this crazy time? Hackers! Cybercriminals are walking in tall cotton with all the business disruption …