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IT Asset Management
An IT asset is classified as any company-owned information, system or hardware that is used in the course of business activities. The IT asset management process typically involves gathering a detailed inventory of an organization’s hardware, software and network assets and then using that information to make informed business decisions about IT-related purchases and redistribution.
Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and companies are required to provide comprehensive reports on how they acquire, utilize, and dispose of assets. To ease the reporting process, a majority of them record their asset information in a central database. In such a way, when they need to compile the reports at the end of their financial year, they can easily access all the information they need. By keeping tabs on a company’s assets throughout their life cycle, a firm owner can improve their technique of acquiring and using assets.
Lifecycle management is another important regulation that can maintain a company with compliance and save the company from a sudden impact type of financial decisions. This plan entails a detailed plan of all your company’s assets and their physical state and an up-to-date report of all the software that is installed on the device, which will make the refresh process moves seamlessly and this will also include asset retirement and decommission and replacement of the machines.
IT asset and configuration data can be critical in the aftermath of natural disasters and other unexpected events. Proper IT Asset Management can help leaders quickly identify the impacts of such events and more confidently make decisions to restore services. Contact us for more information on getting an effective Asset Management solution for your organization.
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Mobile Management
Mobile devices have truly taken hold of consumers in the past several years, and in most wealthy nations the technology is virtually ubiquitous. There are now about a billion mobile devices in the world, and the increase in users shows little sign of abating as the technology gathers pace in less-developed countries too. Not only are more people getting mobile connections but as the devices themselves become more advanced people are using them for much more than mere phone calls, texting, and linking. On that note, mobile management has now become a challenging topic for most of today’s organizations.
One of the major difficulties with mobile devices is security. This is not just in managing the tendency of a user that is attached to the device from the standpoint of restricting people from making a long-distant call from your network, these devices are more complex in their configurations. In addressing the topic of mobile devices, it is reliant to put them in context. Mobile devices are classified as smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, e-readers, handheld gaming consoles, and other portable computing devices.
Securing mobile devices has become increasingly important in recent years as the numbers of the devices in operation and the uses to which they are put have expanded dramatically. The problem is compounded within the enterprise as the ongoing trend toward IT consumerization is resulting in more and more employee-owned devices connecting to the corporate network.
The good news for enterprise or business inundated with the protection of mobile devices in their environment. A variety of mobile device management strategies have been developed that offer a safer way data can be managed and to a larger extent the device can be managed, and security implementations can be embedded at the network stage of the mobile configuration. We are equipped in helping small to mid-size business advance their mobile protection plan.
Duo Security
Duo’s two-factor authentication system can be integrated with websites, VPNs and cloud services. The service can be set to work in conjunction with smartphones, personal computers, land lines and security tokens. It provides cloud software that helps companies manage and secure user authentication into modern applications, and for developers to build identity controls into applications, website web services and devices.
Authentication is the process of determining whether someone or something is, in fact, who or what it declares itself to be. Authentication technology provides access control for systems by checking to see if a user’s credentials match the credentials in a database of authorized users or in a data authentication server. Single sign-on (SSO) is a session and user authentication service that permits a user to use one set of login credentials, for example, a name and password — to access multiple applications. SSO can be used by enterprises, smaller organizations, and individuals to ease the management of various usernames and passwords.
Duo Access Gateway secures access to cloud applications with your users’ existing directory credentials (like Microsoft Active Directory or Google G Suite accounts) using the Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) 2.0 authentication standard. SAML delegates authentication from a service provider to an identity provider, and is used for single sign-on (SSO) solutions.
As part of the security within distributed systems, various services and resources need protection from unauthorized use. Getting this second layer of security is very important to an organization, please contact us to learn more about the process of purchasing a DUO Security package.
News and Views
Massive data leak of Microsoft’s Bing mobile app left more than 100 MILLION records exposed online, including search queries for child pornography and shootings that could be used to blackmail users
Microsoft is even committed to broader subscription models, much like mobile phones, that eliminate the need to initially put money down on a console. For a smaller amount of cash per month, players will get access to not just Game Pass, but the Xbox itself. That’s kinda new.
Even gigantic plays, like buying Bethesda for $7.5 billion, are Game Pass-inspired. After Monday’s announcement, Microsoft revealed that — yes — upcoming barn-burners like Starfield will be available on launch, essentially for free, as part of Game Pass. Starfield might end up being available on the PS5 (we don’t yet know if Microsoft will retain upcoming Bethesda games as exclusives) but if you want to play a Bethesda game on a Sony console you’ll most likely have to pay $69.99 for the privilege.
That won’t be the case if you’re an Xbox owner with a Game Pass subscription.
Times are changing. This generation the PS5 and the Xbox Series X might be comparable on the inside, but that’s where the similarities end. These are two very different consoles. Even the designs seem to represent Sony’s and Microsoft’s different strategies.
The PlayStation 5: a gigantic, hyper-designed piece of technology built to announce its presence. It’s a difficult object to ignore. The Xbox Series S and Series X, on the other hand, are consoles designed to disappear. The Xbox Series X is a big unit, but understated. The PS5 looks like a spaceship by comparison.
This generation, success for both Sony and Microsoft will be measured with different yardsticks. Sony, you suspect, will remain focused on the number of consoles shipped, the amount of games sold. Microsoft is concerned with building its subscriber base and absolutely everything — console sales, exclusive titles, even wild cards like the upcoming cloud gaming service Project xCloud — is focused directly on that singular goal. Time will tell which strategy will work best. In the end it’s possible that both — in their own ways — will be successful plays.
Security Authentication
The development of new technologies is focused mainly on meeting consumer demands in western countries. At the same time, security challenges continue to be of serious concerns to businesses and something Skafos Consulting Managed Service Provider (MSP) is excited to offer a customary security solution that protects business data and networks. Throughout our business practice, including our products and services, IT security will be emphasized that will create solidity and network hardening. On this note, we are going to introduce another element of Network Security which is anticipated in the awareness of new security procedures which is Multi-factor-authentication MFA and 2FA Two Factor authentication.
Multi-factor-authentication MFA is a process where a user is prompted during the sign-in process for an additional form of identification, such as to enter a code on their cellphone or to provide a fingerprint scan. Something you have, such as a trusted device that is not easily duplicated, like a phone or hardware key. Microsoft in its new platform Azure recommends Multi-factor-authentication to protect and business properties. Â
Azure Multi-Factor Authentication helps safeguard access to data and applications while maintaining simplicity for users. It provides additional security by requiring a second form of authentication and delivers strong authentication via a range of easy to use authentication methods. Users may or may not be challenged for MFA based on configuration decisions that an administrator makes.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the second layer of security to protect an account or system. Users must go through two layers of security before being granted access to an account or system. 2FA increases the safety of online accounts by requiring two types of information from the user, such as a password or PIN, an email account, an ATM card, or fingerprint, before the user can log in. The first factor is the password; the second factor is the additional item. Two-factor authentication 2FA is designed to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to an account with nothing more than a stolen password. Users may be at greater risk of compromised passwords than they realize, particularly if they use the same password on more than one website. Downloading software and clicking on links in emails can also expose an individual to password theft.
Patch Management
Patch Management refers to the process of acquiring, testing, and implementing patches (software updates) on computing hardware across your network. Patch Management might include operating system (OS) patches and updates for Microsoft, Apple, or Linux, or third-party software applications such as Chrome, Firefox, Adobe Flash, or Java. Patch Management may also include patches and updates for more specialized software (such as your Teller or Payroll applications) or firmware updates for your network hardware (routers, switches, or printers).
At the core of the maintenance phase of the software development life cycle are the issuance of patches (software fixes) and updates (a collection of fixes and improvements) to resolve system faults, flaws (bugs), and security holes in an attempt to extend the functional life of a software product. Due to the time and effort required to assess, locate, and acquire these updates, this on-going effort is often delayed or over-looked by users and system administrators until some urgency or incident occurs that prompts a swift response.
The CERT Coordination Center maintains statistics on the number of vulnerabilities reported that can potentially be / have been exploited through malicious acts, virus infections, and self-replicating worms, among others. For the past three years, the vulnerabilities reported have continued to nearly double from the previous year.
Operating system and network vendors will regularly release and distribute information on product security issues and patches. Microsoft issues its security updates on the second Tuesday of every month, which is commonly referred to as patch Tuesday. Vendors will continually release patches depending on what glitches they find so it’s important for organizations to keep in close contact with these vendors to stay up to date on the latest updates. Skafos Consulting LLC takes the initiative to support companies with services including patch management and Remote monitoring and management (RMM) please contact us to learn more about our affordable services. Â
Change Management
At its most fundamental level, Change Management is related to the organization’s understanding of risk. While Risk Management teaches us to accept risk, ignore risk, reduce risk, or exploit risk based on business strategy and our capabilities, Change Management is all about managing risk to your organization. In this guide, different types of changes are discussed. The key to effective change management is defining change types by risk tolerance, and the appropriate levels of validation required by the IT organization.
The importance of developing a well thought out communications strategy is often overlooked when embarking on a change initiative. Effective communication during a change effort will serve to provide employees with timely and accurate information, which can positively influence whether the organization can maintain employee productivity and morale and overcome resistance to change. The following five areas outline questions and key information for you to consider when building and delivering a communications strategy designed to inform and guide employees through a change event:
1. Building a Strategy
2. Involving Key Stakeholders in Communications Efforts
3. Determining Message Content
4. Identifying Most Effective Communications Channels
5. Ensuring Follow Up
Changes in the IT infrastructure may arise reactively in response to problems or externally imposed requirements, e.g. legislative changes, or proactively from seeking improved efficiency and effectiveness or to enable or reflect business initiatives, or from programs, projects or service improvement initiatives. Change management can ensure standardized methods, processes and procedures which are used for all changes, facilitate efficient and prompt handling of all changes, and maintain the proper balance between the need for change and the potential detrimental impact of changes. Skafos Consulting LLC takes the initiative to support companies with services including change management and Remote monitoring and management (RMM) please contact us to learn more about our affordable services.
Nimble CRM
Customer relationship management CRM strategy is one of the most sought-after solutions in today’s industry. Provider of software as a service (SaaS) a cloud computing, or Internet solution which includes remote access to databases in addition to computer software. organizations, transaction processing is frequently accomplished with large integrated systems known as enterprise systems. In this case, the information systems that support various functional units’ sales and marketing, production, finance, and human resources are integrated into an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, the principal kind of enterprise system. ERP systems support the value chain that is, the entire sequence of activities or processes through which a firm adds value to its products.
CRM products are satisfactory for customer interactions but can become expensive for many people and small businesses. Â Nimble set the stage for Customer relationship management CRM to be available on all platforms and mobile devices, where people can maintain their communications, that keeps a trace on all their customer exchanges include contacts, alerts and future engagements, which can be detrimental to an important contract negotiation for your company. Â Â Â Â
New deals can be created by clicking the Deals tab. Nimble offers custom stages, pipelines, and the ability to drag and drop deals from one stage to the next. Each deal can be related to a specific contact or company, and you can even enter the probability of win or loss. You can also generate reports from the deals in the system. There are links for deal history, deal forecasts, and a deal dashboard that tells you exactly where all of your current deals stand. Nimble is more about the communication that happens around the leads than the leads themselves. When you have a lead and you need to follow up regularly, you can have Nimble remind you to get in touch with them weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. When you view a contact, you can see when you last communicated with them, through what channel, and recent social media updates.