How Cloud Computing Can Protect Your Data

Cloud computing is currently an integral part of operations for many companies. Information management becomes more efficient with the storing, managing, and processing of data on a network of remote servers hosted on the internet. And it is just one of the array of benefits any company will get from cloud computing.

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Storage management 

Cloud computing can assist with management of data. There are three types of services to choose from: public, private or hybrid. All kinds come with built-in data reduction that can improve data protection.

Data encryption 

Hackers are always on the prowl for files and information that they can access remotely through malicious software. Companies that enlist cloud computing services can be assured of data encryption and protection against hacks.

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Disaster recovery 

The feature most companies look for in cloud computing services is disaster recovery. This ensures companies that their files can be restored immediately after a system breakdown. As companies take advantage of the benefits cloud computing, they can be assured of business continuity as their IT system becomes safer and more reliable.

CITOC provides businesses in Texas expert IT solutions, including planning and security services. Visit its official website for more information.

Better Business Through Outsourced Cios

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For many modern-day companies, keeping abreast with the current technology is the minimum requirement and as such, it's integral to have a key officer to stay on top of anything IT-related whether it's keeping the computers running or maximizing the tech investments the company makes. This is where the chief information officer enters the scene.

However, it can't be denied that hiring a chief executive whose expertise lies in IT is important nowadays, doing so can bring in some considerable cost to a company. Some enterprising companies engage outsourced CIO services to get around these expenses while still getting the same tasks done.

Outsourced CIOs look at the existing IT setup to come up with a more strategic, long-term plan where the technology solutions to be used are cost-effective and will be fully utilized toward the company's goals of helping the staff accomplish their jobs while satisfying the client's needs. These services also allow business owners to collect data or analytics from which to measure the effectivity of IT equipment based on productivity, impact on operations, and profitability.

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Having a virtual CIO is especially useful for small business who wish to remain technologically current but cannot immediately afford the cost of hiring a C-level executive. Through tailor-made plans which can be purchased on a month-to-month basis, companies can have expert IT support such as providing insights into consumer behavior, training non-IT savvy personnel, setting up cybersecurity systems, and creating plans for upgrades and refreshes based on technology standards, all while keeping within a reasonable budget thus improving the company's efficiency and bottom line.

An outsourced CIO may be your company's next step towards success. CITOC can provide you with an outsourced CIO and other tech-related services that you can read about here.

Improving Small Business Profitability with Technology

Technology has improved not only people’s lives but how businesses are conducted as well. While some new entrepreneurs think that going all out with technology is all they need to rise to the top, it is not always the case. For some business owners, less can be more. 

Here are ways technology can help increase business profitability: 

Communications

 

Communication is vital for any type of business. Cellphones, group chats, emails, and VOIPs help employees communicate with clients and co-workers. These days, for example, there’s no need for everyone to be in the same room to work together. Team members can work virtually through online conferences and calls. 

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Social media and other networking sites are also great for spreading the word in a much bigger audience. These play a big role in boosting a company’s marketing and advertising strategies. 

Easier file transfer, document creation, and data storage

 

Technology makes file transfer and data storage easier. While the world is still looking at becoming a paperless society in a few more years, employees can find and store files easier by using cloud storage or devices such as flash drives and external hard drives. They can also send in important files as e-mail attachments. 

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Applications like Office 365 and Google Drive allow co-workers to work simultaneously on a project even if they are miles away. They can view, input, and edit information through shared documents. 

CITOC Inc. is a Houston-based IT solutions company. Visit this website for more about its services.

An Extra Hand: The Benefits of IT Support

Every business, big or small, should have an effective and efficient IT support team. When an IT-related issue plagues operations, you and your team will need prompt and effective solutions.

Imagine this: your company portal goes down, and you’ve been on the phone with the technician for hours. Your “technician” has been giving you the same advice over and over—turn off the main switch, wait for a few seconds, reboot. You know very well it’s not going to work, but he insists on doing it anyway.

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When you outsource for expert IT support, a remote team will be troubleshooting computer systems, hardware, and software. The support team will also respond to other technical-related queries.

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Companies like CITOC offer respectful and responsive IT support and help desk services for local businesses. Available 24/7 and can be contacted by phone, e-mail, or online, CITOC’s IT support team can resolve problems remotely. All support requests can be processed and tracked via a ticketing system. By simplifying the IT support processes, CITOC can readily respond to a client’s request, minimizing any lost hours and income from interrupted operations.  

Under the leadership of its president, BJ Farmer, CITOC has provided clients in Houston and throughout southeast Texas with award-winning services for the past two decades. Visit the company’s official website to learn more about its IT solutions and how they can help leverage your business.

Virtual Storage Safety: Keeping Cloud Secure

Cloud services are offered mainly for backup purposes and to maximize data storage without keeping everything in one location. Businesses use cloud data for easy file sharing and seamless work-tracking.

But the question remains--are cloud accounts safe? What can be done to keep personal and business files secure?

Before choosing a cloud service to use, it is important to do some research. Check if the service provider has solid security policies and a good reputation. And after signing up for a cloud account, make sure that your computer or gadget is on an encrypted connection before downloading or uploading data. You will know the connection is encrypted if there is a padlock icon beside the address, or if it has https:// (http secure) before the Web address.

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If using cloud storage for business purposes, control who can see, upload, or edit files online by managing user access. Most online storage services give notifications when changes in files and folders are made.

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Most importantly, know your options if you lose your data, or your account gets hacked. These options are listed when you sign the terms and conditions before you receive your account. Understand your user rights, and know what you can do in case your account gets compromised.  

Leverage the right cloud solutions for your business needs. Learn about the services offered by CITOC by visiting its official website.

Yes Filter: The Role of Firewalls in Strengthening Online Security

With a massive amount of data being sent to and processed in the Web or on hard drives, it has become a fundamental measure for companies to strengthen the security of their online network. Hacking and data theft are recurrent threats to many businesses, particularly in the finance and creative industries. Thus, many have invested in and built “firewalls” to prevent unauthorized access to or from their private network. This structure is either in the form of hardware or software, but could also be a combination of both. Firewalls were designed primarily to protect network traffic and connections. All messages entering or leaving the premises must pass through the firewall, which analyzes each message and filters out those that do not meet specific security guidelines. There are several types of firewalls, the most common of which being:

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• Packet filtering. One of the most basic firewall forms, this system examines each packet (unit of data) entering or leaving the network and decides whether to accept or reject it based on user-defined rules. Packet filtering is effective in most counts but it is quite challenging to configure and is prone to IP spoofing.

• Circuit-level gateway implementation. This type of firewall works best on security mechanisms with established Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It monitors TCP or UDP handshaking between packets to determine whether a requested session is legitimate.

• Proxy server. Proxy servers, which hide the true network address of computers, were designed to add structure and encapsulation to distributed systems. The firewall capabilities of proxies lie in the fact that they can be configured to allow only certain types of traffic to pass.

•  Web application firewall (WAF). This firewall is a device or software filter that applies a set of rules to a conversation involving HTTP. Such rules are generally customized to the application so that many attacks can be identified and blocked.

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CITOC is an award-winning IT consulting service providing businesses throughout Houston and Southeast Texas with tailored, cost-effective, and reliable IT, cloud, and cyber security solutions. Know more about the company by visiting its website.