Ostra Cybersecurity Names EVP to Senior Leadership Team

Wade Hoffman to lead sales channel network and strategic sales initiatives.

Ostra Cybersecurity, a leading provider of world-class cybersecurity solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, recently named Wade Hoffman to a new role as Executive Vice President, Channels & Strategy.

This latest hire affirms Ostra’s continuing drive to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through its rapidly growing network of Channel Partners.

Wade will be leading the Channel team to grow its network of trusted Channel Partners and the client base the channel serves in Ostra’s mission to protect as many SMBs as possible from cyber threats.

“Wade’s extensive experience in channel development as well as his intense focus on fostering successful partnerships will strengthen our leadership team and contribute to our ongoing success,” said Ostra President Joe Johnson. “As we grow and evolve, Wade will help Ostra provide a scalable approach to support our future expansion and progress.”

Prior to Ostra, Wade built a career defining and selling complex solutions and services for clients ranging from SMBs to global enterprises. He brings broad experiences across industries and solutions such as data analytics, business continuity, unified communications, and information security.

One common theme Wade has seen across various industries and companies of all sizes is the value of capturing, organizing and protecting the most valuable business asset: data. “Information security has been my passion over the past 10 years,” Wade said. “I am proud to work with Ostra partners and clients to ensure they have a strong information security program in place to protect that asset.”

Wade earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from South Dakota State University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. He also holds credentials as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a Certified Virtual Chief Information Security Officer Course (CvCISO).

Connect with Wade on LinkedIn.

How Do I Become a Cybersecurity Reseller?

How to Become a Cybersecurity Reseller

With the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing threat of cyber-attacks, businesses of all sizes are seeking robust cybersecurity solutions to protect their sensitive data and operations.

This has led to a growing demand for cybersecurity resellers who can provide comprehensive security solutions tailored to diverse business needs. If you’re interested in becoming a cybersecurity reseller, this article will guide you through the process.

Understanding the Role of a Cybersecurity Reseller

A cybersecurity reseller acts as an intermediary between cybersecurity solution providers and end-users, helping businesses access top-tier cybersecurity technologies and services.

As a reseller, you don’t develop the solutions yourself; instead, you partner with established cybersecurity providers to offer their products to your clients.

This partnership allows you to tap into cutting-edge technologies and leverage the expertise of established players in the industry.

The Benefits of Being a Cybersecurity Reseller

Access to Expertise: Cybersecurity resellers collaborate with established providers with deep industry knowledge and expertise. This means you can offer your clients solutions backed by a team of professionals who understand the intricacies of cyber threats and prevention.

Minimized Overhead: Developing and maintaining your own cybersecurity solutions can be costly and resource-intensive. As a reseller, you can avoid these overhead costs and focus on delivering value to your clients.

Diverse Product Portfolio: Cybersecurity providers offer various solutions that address cybersecurity aspects, from ransomware prevention to cloud data protection. This allows you to provide tailored solutions to clients based on their unique needs.

Efficient Time-to-Market: Partnering with established providers lets you quickly enter the market with proven solutions. This efficiency can be crucial in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Steps to Success With Cybersecurity Reselling

The first step to becoming a cybersecurity reseller is understanding the market. This involves gaining knowledge about various types of cybersecurity threats, such as ransomware, malware, and phishing, as well as the different tools and technologies used to combat them.

It’s also crucial to understand the specific needs of businesses in terms of mobile device security, cloud data protection, and other aspects of cybersecurity.

Once you’ve gotten up to speed on the basics of cybersecurity, these steps will walk you through the process of establishing a cybersecurity reseller partnership:

  1. Research and Choose Your Partners: Research reputable cybersecurity providers like Ostra Cybersecurity. Look for providers with a strong track record, a comprehensive product suite, and a commitment to ongoing innovation.
  2. Understand Your Audience: Identify your target market and understand their cybersecurity needs. Different industries and businesses have varying requirements, so tailor your offerings to these specific needs.
  3. Build Relationships: Establish strong relationships with your chosen cybersecurity providers. This collaboration is built on trust and ensures you can effectively communicate your clients’ needs to the provider.
  4. Education and Training: Gain a deep understanding of the cybersecurity solutions you’ll be reselling. This knowledge will enable you to effectively consult with your clients and provide them with the best solutions for their needs.
  5. Value-Added Services: Consider offering additional services alongside the cybersecurity solutions, such as consulting, training, and ongoing support. This can set you apart from competitors and create a holistic cybersecurity solution for your clients.
  6. Marketing and Sales: Develop a marketing strategy highlighting your offerings’ benefits. Educate your clients about the importance of cybersecurity and how your solutions can safeguard their digital assets.
  7. Customer Support: Provide exceptional customer support to your clients. Quick response times, troubleshooting assistance, and regular check-ins can go a long way in building solid and long-lasting relationships.

Partnering with a Managed Cybersecurity Provider

Once you’ve gained a solid understanding of the market, the next step is to partner with a managed cybersecurity provider.

This provider should offer a comprehensive solution that tackles both known and “zero-day” threats – those that are brand new and unknown to security professionals.

The solution should be constantly updated to keep up with evolving threats and seamlessly integrate into clients’ IT environments.

Ensuring Seamless Integration and Support

In choosing a provider, ensure that they can integrate their solution into your current security suite with minimal effort on your part. They should take care of everything behind the scenes, from setup to ongoing management, allowing you to focus on your core business.

Look for a provider offering expertise, educational resources, training, sales and marketing tools, and ongoing support. This will help you provide the best possible service to your clients and grow your business.

Customizing Solutions to Fit Client Needs

Every business is unique, with different cybersecurity needs. As a reseller, you should be able to offer customizable solutions tailored to your clients’ specific requirements. This means working closely with your provider to understand their offerings and how they can be adapted to fit different business contexts.

Ready. Set. Go!

Becoming a cybersecurity reseller can be rewarding, providing an essential service to businesses while offering significant growth opportunities.

You can establish your successful cybersecurity reselling business by understanding the market, partnering with a reputable managed cybersecurity provider, ensuring seamless integration and support, and customizing solutions to fit client needs.

Remember, it’s not just about selling services; it’s about being a trusted advisor who can provide comprehensive data security that eliminates risk and meets clients’ compliance requirements.

The Ostra Cybersecurity Reseller Program

Ostra Cybersecurity offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity solutions to help you become a successful reseller.

Ostra has the exceptional talent to not only hunt for and identify threats but also remediate and eliminate them in real time for a fraction of your insourcing cost.

Our robust, secure product offerings are designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses in any industry. Our team of experts is available to provide assistance and support throughout your journey as a reseller. Contact us today to learn more!

FAQs

Q: What is a cybersecurity reseller?

A: A cybersecurity reseller is a business that sells cybersecurity solutions provided by a third-party supplier. They act as a bridge between the cybersecurity provider and companies that need these solutions. They can offer added value through consultation, customization, and additional support services.

Q: Why is partnering with a reputable cybersecurity provider important?

A: Partnering with a reputable cybersecurity provider is crucial as it ensures you have access to high-quality, effective cybersecurity solutions. A reputable provider will have a track record of success and will offer comprehensive, updated solutions to tackle both known and emerging cyber threats while minimizing liability risk exposure.

Q: What are the key capabilities to look for in a cybersecurity provider?

A: Key capabilities to consider include a comprehensive and constantly updated solution suite, seamless integration with existing IT environments, and robust support services. The provider should also be able to offer customizable solutions to meet varying client needs.

Q: How can a reseller add value to the cybersecurity solutions they offer?

A: Resellers can add value by offering additional services such as consulting, training, and ongoing support. By understanding their clients’ specific needs, they can also tailor the cybersecurity solutions to provide a more effective, personalized service. Offering a holistic cybersecurity package is also beneficial, setting your services apart from competitors.

File folders with name tabs - Cybersecurity, Data, Business, Technology, Internet (Outsourcing Cybersecurity)

Insourcing vs. Outsourcing Cybersecurity:
How to Find the Best Approach for Your Practice

Outsourcing Cybersecurity: Most Companies Can’t Handle Cybersecurity On Their Own

File folders with name tabs - Cybersecurity, Data, Business, Technology, Internet (Outsourcing Cybersecurity)Cybersecurity has become an essential aspect of business operations. With the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the value of sensitive data, organizations must adopt robust strategies to protect their assets.

A recent article in Forbes titled The Evolution Of Cybersecurity And How Businesses Can Prepare For The Future states, “One thing is for sure: The biggest challenges facing the future will be keeping up with the growing sophistication of attackers.”

When implementing a cybersecurity practice, companies often face the critical decision of insourcing or outsourcing their cybersecurity efforts.

Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks, making it essential for businesses to carefully evaluate their unique needs before determining the best course.

Understanding Insourcing and Outsourcing in Cybersecurity

Before delving into the comparison, it’s important to understand what insourcing and outsourcing mean in the context of cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Insourcing

Cybersecurity insourcing refers to handling cybersecurity internally, wherein an organization establishes its in-house team of cybersecurity professionals responsible for safeguarding the company’s assets.

Cybersecurity Outsourcing

Cybersecurity outsourcing involves partnering with external cybersecurity service providers to handle security tasks on behalf of the organization.

Hybrid Cybersecurity Approach

The hybrid approach to cybersecurity is a combination of insourcing and outsourcing, wherein an organization outsources certain tasks while keeping the remainder in-house.

The Advantages of Insourcing Cybersecurity

One of the primary advantages of insourcing cybersecurity is its level of control and customization. An in-house team allows organizations to tailor their security measures to align with their specific needs and requirements.

Additionally, in-house teams can better understand the company’s operations and culture, leading to a more effective security strategy.

Insourcing can potentially lead to cost savings in the long run. While initial setup costs might be higher, the absence of third-party fees can result in lower overall expenses over time.

With a dedicated team on-site, response times to security incidents can be faster, potentially minimizing the impact of breaches or attacks.

The Challenges of Insourcing Cybersecurity

Despite its advantages, insourcing cybersecurity also presents certain challenges. Building and maintaining an expert cybersecurity team demands significant recruitment, training, and continuous education investment.

As the threat landscape evolves rapidly, it can be challenging for in-house teams to keep up-to-date with the latest threats and security technologies.

Moreover, for smaller organizations or those with limited resources, assembling a comprehensive in-house team with diverse skill sets can be cost-prohibitive. In such cases, insourcing might result in a trade-off between the breadth of expertise and the available budget.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity offers several compelling benefits, making it an attractive option for many organizations. Access to specialized expertise is one of the primary advantages of outsourcing.

By partnering with a reputable cybersecurity service provider, businesses can tap into a pool of highly skilled professionals with extensive knowledge of the latest threats and security practices.

Outsourcing cybersecurity can provide around-the-clock monitoring and support, ensuring that security incidents are promptly detected and addressed, even outside regular business hours.

This constant vigilance can significantly enhance an organization’s ability to respond to threats in real-time.

The Considerations and Drawbacks of Outsourcing

While outsourcing can be beneficial, it’s not without its considerations and potential drawbacks. One critical aspect that requires careful attention is data privacy and security.

Sharing sensitive information with external parties carries inherent risks, and organizations must ensure that the chosen cybersecurity provider adheres to the strictest data protection standards.

Another potential drawback is the lack of complete control over the cybersecurity process. Relying on external providers means entrusting them with critical security responsibilities, and organizations must thoroughly vet potential partners to establish trust and ensure alignment with their security objectives.

 

“One thing is for sure: The biggest challenges facing the future will be keeping up with the growing sophistication of attackers.”

 

Evaluating Your Cybersecurity Needs

Before deciding between insourcing and outsourcing, organizations must thoroughly evaluate their cybersecurity needs. This assessment should encompass various factors, including the organization’s size, industry, budget, existing in-house expertise, and the level of security required to protect sensitive data and assets.

Consideration of the company’s growth trajectory and future expansion plans is crucial, as scalability plays a vital role in determining the sustainability of the chosen approach.

Cost Analysis: Cybersecurity Total Cost of Ownership

An accurate cost analysis is essential for making an informed decision. This analysis should consider the initial setup costs and the long-term expenses associated with each approach.

While outsourcing might have more apparent upfront fees, it could prove cost-effective when considering factors like recruitment, training, and retention of in-house cybersecurity professionals.

Organizations should calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for insourcing and outsourcing options to understand the financial implications comprehensively.

Risk Assessment: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Threats

Conducting a risk assessment is a fundamental step in cybersecurity planning. This assessment involves identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats the organization might face and understanding how each approach addresses these risks differently.

Both insourcing and outsourcing have risk profiles, and organizations must weigh these risks against their capabilities and risk tolerance to make an appropriate decision.

Hybrid Approach: The Middle Ground

In some instances, a hybrid approach combining elements of both insourcing and outsourcing might be the best fit for an organization. A hybrid model allows companies to leverage their in-house expertise while complementing it with external resources for specific security functions.

For example, an organization might choose to maintain an in-house cybersecurity team for routine tasks and day-to-day monitoring while outsourcing incident response and penetration testing to external experts.

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

A recent client specializing in software development had been managing its cybersecurity internally for several years. However, as the company expanded its operations and the cybersecurity landscape evolved, it faced challenges maintaining a robust and up-to-date security posture.

Seeking a more efficient and comprehensive solution, the client decided to outsource its cybersecurity to Ostra Cybersecurity, a reputable external cybersecurity service provider.

The Challenge

As our client’s business grew, so did their digital footprint, making them a more appealing target for cyber threats. The company’s internal IT team needed help to keep up with the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the demands of managing security across its expanding network.

Regular updates to security software, threat monitoring, and incident response were becoming overwhelming tasks, diverting attention from the core business functions.

They also had concerns about the potential for data breaches and their impact on their reputation and customer trust. They needed a cybersecurity partner with expertise and resources to safeguard their sensitive data and intellectual property effectively.

Choosing Ostra Cybersecurity

After thorough research and evaluation of potential cybersecurity partners, our client decided to partner with Ostra Cybersecurity. Ostra’s reputation for providing comprehensive and proactive cybersecurity solutions and its focus on SMBs aligned perfectly with the client’s needs.

The decision to outsource their cybersecurity was based on several key advantages offered by Ostra:

Expertise and Specialization: Ostra Cybersecurity boasts a team of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals who specialize in various aspects of security, including threat detection, incident response, and compliance. This expertise allowed the client to leverage cutting-edge security practices without needing continuous internal training and skill development.

24/7 Monitoring and Support: Ostra’s round-the-clock monitoring and support services provide the client peace of mind. The continuous monitoring allowed for real-time threat detection and immediate response to potential security incidents, reducing the risk of extended breaches and minimizing potential damage.

Advanced Threat Detection Technology: Ostra Cybersecurity utilized advanced threat detection technology, including AI-powered tools and machine learning algorithms. This technology enabled early identification of emerging threats and potential vulnerabilities, ensuring proactive mitigation before they could pose a significant risk.

Enhanced Data Protection: Data security was a top concern for the client, and Ostra Cybersecurity addressed this by implementing robust data protection measures. Encryption, access controls, and secure data storage practices were employed to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access or data breaches.

Regular Security Updates and Patch Management: Ostra Cybersecurity assumed responsibility for managing security updates and patches across the client’s systems. This helped to keep their infrastructure updated with the latest security patches, reducing the risk of exploitation through known vulnerabilities.

Scalability and Flexibility: As the client grew, they needed a cybersecurity solution that could scale with their evolving needs. Ostra’s flexible service offerings allowed for seamless adjustments to accommodate changes in their network size and security requirements.

The Results and Benefits

By outsourcing their cybersecurity to Ostra Cybersecurity, our client experienced several significant benefits:

Enhanced Security Posture: With Ostra’s expertise and proactive approach to security, they saw a marked improvement in their overall security posture. The timely identification and mitigation of potential threats reduced the likelihood of successful cyber attacks.

Cost Efficiency: The cost of outsourcing their cybersecurity proved to be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house cybersecurity team. The client optimized their cybersecurity budget by eliminating the need for continuous training and expensive security tools.

Increased Focus on Core Business: With Ostra managing its cybersecurity, our client’s internal IT team could redirect their efforts towards improving software development and other critical business functions.

Compliance Adherence: Ostra’s expertise in compliance requirements ensured that the client remained compliant with industry regulations and data protection laws, mitigating the risk of legal and financial consequences.

By partnering with Ostra Cybersecurity, the client successfully transitioned from internal cybersecurity management to an outsourced, proactive approach.

Ostra’s expertise, advanced technology, and 24/7 monitoring bolstered XYZ Technologies’ security posture, allowing them to focus on their core business operations without compromising data protection.

The decision to outsource their cybersecurity proved to be a strategic move that fortified our client’s resilience against cyber threats in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

What’s Best For You?

Choosing between insourcing and outsourcing for your cybersecurity practice is a mission-critical decision that requires a comprehensive evaluation of your organization’s unique needs, risk tolerance, and available resources.

Each approach has advantages and drawbacks, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By carefully considering the factors outlined in this blog, your organization can make a well-informed decision that enhances your cybersecurity posture and protects your valuable assets in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Discover the benefits of outsourcing cybersecurity in business operations. Make an informed decision for your practice. Protect assets effectively.

A trusted cybersecurity partner can provide much-needed relief as well as lend cutting-edge expertise to your stretched IT operations team. Explore your options by scheduling your free security assessment with Ostra today.

 

FAQs:

 

Q: What is the difference between insourcing and outsourcing cybersecurity?

A: Insourcing involves handling cybersecurity internally, with an in-house team responsible for security. Outsourcing, on the other hand, entails partnering with external cybersecurity service providers to handle security tasks.

Q: What benefits does outsourcing cybersecurity provide?

A: Outsourcing provides access to specialized expertise, around-the-clock monitoring and support, and the ability to tap into a pool of skilled professionals. This can enhance an organization’s ability to respond to threats promptly.

Q: What considerations should organizations make when evaluating insourcing vs outsourcing cybersecurity?

A: Organizations should evaluate factors like their size, industry, budget, existing expertise, and security needs. They should also assess their growth trajectory and scalability requirements.

Q: What is a hybrid approach to cybersecurity, and when might it be beneficial?

A: A hybrid approach combines both in-house and outsourced cybersecurity elements. It can be beneficial when an organization wants to leverage its in-house expertise while supplementing it with external resources for specific security functions.

Q: What should organizations consider when deciding between insourcing and outsourcing cybersecurity?

A: Organizations should weigh factors like control, customization, expertise, cost, data privacy, and risk tolerance. An accurate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis is essential, as well as a thorough risk assessment.

Overcoming Cybersecurity Fatigue:
Help for IT Service Providers

IT service providers face many challenges when trying to serve their clients—especially smaller businesses. Generally speaking, it takes a special breed of human to thrive in the often-overwhelming field of cybersecurity. There are many reasons why these challenges can be even more felt among managed service providers (MSPs).

Overworked and Short-Staffed

In the IT world, cybersecurity is a niche that can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful. Consider the following statistics:

  • 83% of IT security professionals felt more overworked going into 2020 than they were at the beginning of 2019, according to a Tripwire survey.
  • On average, one study found that a security operations staff member handled 3.5 major functions as part of their job in 2019; Some staff handled as many as twelve functions.
  • 45% of the 400 international operations professionals surveyed in 2020 saw a sharp increase in cyber threats and security incidents compared to previous years.

Second, it is very difficult to find qualified cybersecurity specialists to cover the vastly-growing need to protect clients against ransomware, various types of malware and other threats. Being short-staffed has become a way of life, as it can take several months to fill positions such as a Security Analyst. For example:

  • More than two-thirds of security professionals surveyed in 2019 said a cybersecurity skills shortage was impacting their ability to stay on top of vulnerabilities.
  • As of January 2021, there were 4.07 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally, up from 2.93 million in 2020. This includes 561,000 in North America alone.

Cyber Fatigue is Real

Staff burnout is another problem that IT firms and small cybersecurity teams grapple with. Cybersecurity is a high-stakes venture that involves constant vigilance to protect sensitive data and keep mission-critical business functions operational.

According to an article about PsyberResilience, many cyber “first responders” have to deal with challenges such as:

  • Little time to decompress between security alerts and up to 80% false positives
  • Working long hours, including weekends
  • Pressure to keep up with constantly changing landscape—from new threats, tactics and technologies, to new laws, regulations, guidelines, frameworks and standards

These challenges are why many service providers choose to partner with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP). Rather than having to seek out, hire, manage and compensate a full-time team of IT experts with the right cybersecurity credentials, they can work with a trusted resource that can handle it all—freeing them up to focus on bigger IT strategy initiatives for their clients.

For example, Ostra Cybersecurity’s team includes experts in the field of relationship management, IT integrations and decades of combined cybersecurity expertise. Our proactive, behind-the-scenes approach provides 24/7 monitoring, automated threat detection and response before the threats get in. This not only saves businesses time and high payroll expenses, but also saves them tens (or hundreds) of thousands in dollars versus dealing with data breaches after they occur.

The Challenges of Tech Silos

Today’s IT service providers are responsible for delivering a number of critical services to clients—including network, application, infrastructure and security services. We know technology silos can be a significant barrier for service providers in terms of their productivity. As technology is advancing, processes are becoming more detailed and companies are formalizing their approach to areas like risk management and threat intelligence.

It can become difficult, especially within fast-growing organizations, for MSPs to maintain their expert-level knowledge while staying agile and able to quickly navigate in and out of these various specialty areas. That’s why it is helpful to partner with a cybersecurity specialist who knows how to prevent ransomware, understands the types of malware attacking their systems, and ultimately gives them the best cloud data protection.

Small Businesses are a big target

In January 2021, HelpNet Security reported on a Cynet survey of 200 small and medium businesses with cybersecurity budgets of $1 million or less. They found that 63% of CISOs “feel their risk of attack is higher compared to enterprises, despite the fact that enterprises have a larger target on their back.” Small businesses depend on their MSP to protect them, which is why having adequate protection for your clients is critical for them, and your status as their trusted IT advisor.

With the increased targeting of smaller businesses by cybercriminals, MSSPs are increasingly needed to step in to protect these at-risk companies. This article discusses why it’s important to simplify cybersecurity for MSPs and channel partners who serve small businesses:

All businesses—including IT service providers—are faced with the reality of limited resources while they face an exponentially-growing need for security and cloud data protection. Orchestrating a robust defense against ransomware and various types of malware impacts costs, personnel, and other resources within the organization.”Paul Dobbins, Chief Growth Officer, Ostra Cybersecurity

Relieve your IT team’s pain points

A trusted cybersecurity partner can provide much-needed relief as well as lend cutting-edge expertise to your stretched IT operations team. Explore your options by scheduling your free security assessment with Ostra today.

cybersecurity

Tackling the Top 3 Cybersecurity Hassles for MSPs

As someone who has worked in the technology space for over a decade, I often hear from Managed Service Providers (MSPs) who are frustrated by the amount of research, problem-solving time, and day-to-day management that is required to provide comprehensive cybersecurity to their clients. Adequately protecting clients from the growing landscape of cybersecurity threats gets more challenging every day.

For service providers, most of their pain points center around three areas:

  • Tools: Working with multiple platforms and disjointed software products is complex. It’s frustrating and time-consuming for MSPs when cybersecurity tools do not integrate well or talk to each other.
  • Technology: Cybersecurity technology is constantly changing. It’s time-consuming and challenging for many MSPs to stay on top of all the latest product developments, new tech, and best practices that will help them stay ahead of threats and protect their clients.
  • Talent: Today’s MSPs have a lot on their plates, and their teams are overwhelmed. Many providers don’t have in-house cybersecurity experts or 24/7 resources to provide robust prevention, management and remediation of threats.

Finding the right support

The good news is that MSPs don’t have to battle these frustrations on their own. Finding a cybersecurity partner can relieve your team’s cybersecurity fatigue while making sure your clients are protected.

The right partner can take on the burden of researching and selecting the right cybersecurity software tools for your business, as well as managing the solution after it is installed. Make sure you choose a cybersecurity solution that utilizes enterprise-grade, constantly updated tools and software.

It is also helpful to work with a partner that has strong and influential relationships with software and technology providers—especially when quick product support or remediation is needed.

For example, Ostra’s proprietary infrastructure and architecture offers a comprehensive 24/7, 360-degree cybersecurity package that leverages the most secure and proven platforms available today. We configure the very best and latest technologies into one easy-to-install platform, which enables our partners to protect their clients with a simplified solution.

If you are the one responsible for addressing the cybersecurity needs of your organization, it is common to become exhausted by research. It takes time and patience to stay on top of the latest software products, tools, and services on the market.

This is why a holistic, layered approach to cybersecurity is needed. For more details about what this involves, I highly recommend this blog that covers “7 Cybersecurity Must-Haves,” written by Ostra’s founder, Michael Kennedy.

Why is layered cybersecurity essential?

The field of cybersecurity is broad, deep, and ever-changing. Covering all of your clients’ cybersecurity gaps can be a challenge for MSPs—especially with so many technology silos and specialty areas to navigate.

For example, it’s important to think about 24/7 SOC & SIEM coverage, email threat protection, endpoint security, the right firewalls, VPNs and more for your clients. You’ll also want to make sure your solution is backed by human expertise to make the best decisions and act on threat intelligence.

That’s why a layered, proactive approach is essential to protecting small businesses and medium-sized companies from cyber threats. This will help you eliminate threats that others do not—which gives your SMB a competitive advantage.

Partner up for best results

As an MSP, it’s vital to have a cybersecurity expert in your corner, whose advice and quick response you can count on to support your business.

Industry trends show that MSPs are relying more and more on MSPs to separate cybersecurity responsibilities from the rest of the things IT departments are covering, and to make things easier. For example, this Rasmussen University article lists some common cybersecurity problems that most organizations face—including treating cybersecurity like just another IT issue. And this Tech Republic article, “The Rise of the CISO,” illustrates why cybersecurity is its own animal, and can’t just be expected to be absorbed by IT. It needs dedicated resources that can adequately address security threats.

When it comes to a partnership model, Ostra takes a unique approach. Rather than simply signing up channel partners and their customers, Ostra is intentional about partnering with a variety of IT service and solution providers—creating a network that can cover the full range of client and industry needs. This allows Ostra to provide our clients with trusted referrals for their other IT requirements, which also helps our partners grow.

Ostra is committed to helping our network of consultants, IT and Managed Service Providers enhance value for their small to medium-sized business clients by offering comprehensive data protection solutions. Our technology suite—combined with the service expertise of our channel partners—delivers a comprehensive solution that meets the unique IT challenges facing business owners today. Contact Ostra to explore the benefits of partnering with us.

Are you ready for a hassle-free way to provide comprehensive cybersecurity to your clients? Learn how Ostra’s 360° managed solution does the heavy lifting.

computer screen covered in green 1s and 0s with RANSOMWARE spelled out in red

23 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Ransomware

The threat of ransomware is a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. Large corporations invest heavily in cybersecurity, but it isn’t just the big companies that must be prepared to protect their sensitive data.

This Is Not a Drill

Despite significant advances in cybersecurity, a recent press release by Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies, states that:

  • 48% of IT professionals reported an increase in ransomware attacks, with 22% of organizations polled experiencing a ransomware attack in the past 12 months
  • 51% of enterprises do not have a formal ransomware plan

Small and medium-sized businesses, along with their employees, must also take steps to protect themselves from ransomware attacks or risk losing valuable data and revenue. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their techniques to exploit vulnerabilities and hold data hostage, demanding hefty ransoms for its release.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is malicious software designed to encrypt files on a victim’s computer or network, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid.

Cybercriminals employ various tactics to infect systems, such as phishing emails or exploiting compromised websites or software vulnerabilities. Understanding the gravity of this threat is essential to better protect yourself and your digital assets.

The Cost of Inaction

A recent article in Forbes Magazine titled “The Sobering Truth About Ransomware for the 80 Percent Who Paid Up” provides insights into the alarming reality faced by those who have fallen victim to ransomware attacks. The article delves deep into the experiences of the 80 percent who have made the difficult decision to pay the ransom, shedding light on the harsh consequences and long-lasting effects of such actions.

The Forbes article highlights the difficult choices organizations and individuals face when confronted with a ransomware attack. It reveals that many victims still suffer significant setbacks despite paying the demanded ransom. The payment, often made as a last resort to regain access to crucial data or systems, does not guarantee a seamless restoration process. In many cases, the restored data may still be compromised or contain lingering vulnerabilities that can be exploited again in the future.

An Ounce of Prevention . . .

In light of the sobering truths presented in the Forbes article, it becomes evident that prevention and proactive measures are paramount in the fight against ransomware. Your organization can significantly reduce its susceptibility to such attacks by implementing the safeguards below. Investing in robust cybersecurity practices, staying informed about the latest threats, and establishing comprehensive incident response plans to mitigate the devastating impact of ransomware attacks are crucial.

To safeguard your business and avoid falling victim to ransomware attacks, it is necessary to adopt proactive measures and stay well-informed. Below, we list 23 effective ways to protect yourself from ransomware and preserve the security of your valuable data:

1. Install and Update Reliable Antivirus Software

One of the best defenses against ransomware is robust antivirus software. Choose a reputable antivirus program that provides real-time protection against malware, including ransomware. And make sure you or your security team regularly updates the software to ensure it can detect and neutralize the latest threats effectively.

2. Keep Your Operating System(s) Up to Date

Operating system updates often include crucial security patches that address vulnerabilities cybercriminals exploit. Set your system to automatically install updates or regularly check for updates manually. By keeping your operating system up to date, you fortify its defenses against ransomware attacks.

3. Enable Automatic Software Updates

In addition to your operating system(s), enabling automatic updates for all your software applications is equally vital. Popular software, such as web browsers, office suites, and media players, frequently release updates to enhance functionality and security. Enable automatic updates to ensure you have the latest versions installed, equipped with robust defenses against ransomware.

4. Exercise Caution When Opening Email Attachments

Phishing emails are a common delivery method for ransomware. Exercise caution when opening email attachments, especially those from unknown or suspicious senders. Verify the sender’s authenticity before opening any attachments, and if in doubt, refrain from opening suspicious emails altogether.

5. Beware of Suspicious Links

Similar to email attachments, ransomware can also be delivered through malicious links. Be cautious when clicking on links, especially those received via email, social media messages, or unknown websites. Hover your cursor over the link to preview the URL before clicking. If it seems suspicious, avoid clicking to mitigate the risk of a ransomware infection.

6. Implement a Robust Firewall

A firewall acts as a barrier between your computer or network and the internet, monitoring and filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic. Configure a robust firewall on your system to establish an additional layer of protection against ransomware and other cyber threats.

7. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Securing your Wi-Fi network is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and potential ransomware attacks. Change the default administrator credentials of your router, use strong WPA2 encryption, and regularly update the firmware to ensure the network remains secure.

8. Create Strong, Unique Passwords

Using strong, unique passwords is fundamental to protecting your digital assets. Avoid using easily guessable passwords, and consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.

9. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification, such as a temporary code sent to their mobile device, in addition to their password. Enable 2FA whenever possible to enhance your defenses against ransomware attacks.

10. Regularly Backup Your Data

Regularly backing up your data is crucial in mitigating the impact of a ransomware attack. In the event of an infection, having up-to-date backups allows you to restore your files without paying the ransom. Automate the backup process and ensure backups are stored securely and frequently.

11. Store Backups Offline or in the Cloud

It is essential to keep backups separate from your primary system to prevent ransomware from encrypting them. Consider offline storage options like external hard drives or cloud-based backup services that offer robust security measures.

12. Use Encryption to Protect Sensitive Data

Implementing encryption for sensitive data adds an extra layer of protection, even if it falls into the wrong hands. Utilize encryption tools or software to encrypt files and folders containing valuable or confidential information.

13. Educate Yourself and Your Team

Education is key in the fight against ransomware. Stay informed about the latest threats, attack techniques, and preventive measures. Implement a security awareness training program to consistently educate yourself and your team about the best practices to identify and avoid potential risks.

14. Stay Informed About the Latest Threats

The landscape of ransomware threats is continually evolving. Stay informed by regularly visiting reputable cybersecurity websites like CISA and subscribing to their newsletters. You can adapt your security practices accordingly by staying up to date with the latest threats.

15. Limit User Privileges

Granting administrative privileges to all users increases the risk of ransomware spreading throughout your network. Limit user privileges to ensure only authorized personnel can access critical system functions and sensitive data.

16. Disable Macros in Office Documents

Ransomware can exploit macros in office documents to infect your system. Disable macros by default in programs like Microsoft Word and Excel, and only enable them when necessary and from trusted sources.

17. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

When accessing the internet, especially on public Wi-Fi networks, use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your data from potential eavesdroppers. A VPN adds an extra layer of security and anonymity, reducing the risk of ransomware attacks.

18. Implement Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems monitor network traffic, looking for suspicious activity and potential ransomware threats. Implement an IDPS to proactively identify and neutralize threats before they can compromise your systems.

19. Monitor Network Traffic

Regularly monitor your network traffic to identify any anomalies or suspicious activities. Unusual patterns or unexpected connections may indicate a ransomware attack in progress. Implement network monitoring tools to detect and respond promptly to potential threats.

20. Perform Regular Vulnerability Assessments

Regular vulnerability assessments help identify weaknesses in your systems and infrastructure that ransomware attacks could exploit. Engage the services of a reputable cybersecurity firm to conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments and remediate any identified vulnerabilities promptly.

21. Employ Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Solutions

Data Loss Prevention solutions help detect and prevent the unauthorized transmission of sensitive data, providing additional protection against ransomware attacks. Implement DLP solutions tailored to your organization’s specific needs and industry regulations.

22. Develop an Incident Response Plan

Preparing an incident response plan is essential for effectively responding to a ransomware attack. Define roles, responsibilities, and procedures to follow in the event of an incident. Regularly review and update the plan to account for changes in the threat landscape.

23. Engage Managed Cybersecurity Services

We get it. This list looks overwhelming. While many of these measures can be implemented with minimal technical skill, there is a steep learning curve to proficiency in protecting against the threat of ransomware. As new threats and vectors emerge, the need for skillful cybersecurity professionals increases.

Most SMBs lack the technical resources to implement these measures in-house. To ensure your systems and data are secure, consider engaging the services of a managed cybersecurity service provider (also referred to as “Security as a Service” or “SECaaS.” They employ trained experts with the experience and resources to provide comprehensive protection against ransomware attacks.

Investing in managed cybersecurity services will help ensure your data stays safe and secure. A managed cybersecurity solution can provide advanced monitoring, detection, and response capabilities to strengthen your defenses against ransomware attacks and ensures that new threats are identified quickly and addressed–even as they evolve.

Take Action Now to Protect Your Business!

Don’t wait until it’s too late to safeguard your valuable data from the growing threat of ransomware. Implement the 23 effective ways listed in this article to fortify your defenses and avoid becoming a victim.

Ostra Cybersecurity is here to help. Our managed cybersecurity services provide comprehensive protection against ransomware attacks. Our expert team will monitor, detect, and respond to threats, ensuring your data stays safe and secure.

Take the proactive step towards a secure future. Contact us today to learn more about how Ostra Cybersecurity can empower your business and keep you protected from ransomware. Don’t let cybercriminals hold your data hostage – act now!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What is ransomware?

A: Ransomware is a form of malicious software that encrypts files on a victim’s computer or network, demanding a ransom for their release.

Q: How can I protect myself from ransomware?

A: You can protect yourself from ransomware by installing reliable antivirus software, keeping your operating system and software up to date, exercising caution with email attachments and suspicious links, implementing a robust firewall, securing your Wi-Fi network, creating strong passwords, and regularly backing up your data.

Q: Are automatic software updates important?

A: Yes, automatic software updates are crucial as they often include security patches that address vulnerabilities exploited by ransomware and other malware.

Q: What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

A: Two-factor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide two verification forms, such as a password and a temporary code sent to their mobile device, to access an account or system.

Q: Should I pay the ransom if I get infected by ransomware?

A: Paying the ransom is not recommended, as it encourages and funds cybercriminal activities. Instead, focus on restoring your files from backups and implementing preventive measures to avoid future attacks.

Q: Can professional cybersecurity services help prevent ransomware attacks?

A: Professional cybersecurity services offer expertise, advanced tools, and proactive monitoring to effectively detect and mitigate ransomware threats.

Conclusion

As ransomware attacks continue to pose a significant threat to individuals and organizations, taking proactive measures to protect your digital world is imperative. By implementing the 24 ways to avoid becoming a victim of ransomware discussed in this article, you can significantly enhance your security posture and minimize the risk of falling prey to these malicious attacks. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and safeguard your valuable data against the ever-evolving threat of ransomware.

Contact us to learn more about what it means to be powered by Ostra Cybersecurity.

computer screen showing alert status warning

Don’t Ignore the SIEM Who Cries ‘Alert’: The Importance of Thoroughly Investigating False Positives in Security Alerts 

False positives in security alerts are a common problem that can plague security professionals, consuming valuable time and resources while decreasing the effectiveness of security measures.  

A recent survey by Security Magazine found that 20% of security alerts are false positives, which can be a significant issue for organizations with limited resources. 

What is a SIEM?

A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is a security management system that collects, stores, analyses, detects and responds to security events from multiple sources across an IT environment. 

SIEMs are the eyes and ears of security teams, collecting a wide range of security data and alerting teams when suspicious activities occur. 

However, this means SIEMs can often trigger false positives due to the wide range of data and sources it processes. This is where thorough investigation comes in, as investigations can help determine whether an alert is valid or a false positive. 

In a Security Operations Center (SOC) environment, false positives are particularly prevalent due to the high volume of alerts that analysts must process. This leads to the critical question of how best to handle false positives without overlooking possible vulnerabilities or being bogged down by excess false positives.

How are False Positive Security Alerts Handled in a SOC?

One approach to handling false positives is to conduct a thorough investigation each time an alert is triggered. This approach ensures that no potential vulnerability or compromise is dismissed. Investigations can be conducted in several ways, such as checking the IP address, running hashes, and scanning files through approved file checkers. 

Checking the IP address can help determine if the source of the alert is legitimate or if it is a false positive. Running hashes is another approach that can help determine if a file has been modified or tampered with. Scanning files through approved file checkers can also help identify any malicious files that may have triggered the alert. 

Thorough investigations can be time-consuming and require additional resources, including a second analyst’s review to ensure that no oversights or gaps in the investigation occur. 

Assume the Worst Case.

Ignoring alerts, assuming they are all false positives, can decrease the effectiveness of security measures. This can open vulnerabilities and make it easier for attackers to access sensitive information.  

Therefore, it is vital to be vigilant and thoroughly investigate each alert, even if it is a false positive, to ensure that possible vulnerabilities or compromises are not overlooked. 

Another issue with false positives is that they can result in a waste of resources of time and money. Analysts must spend time investigating alerts that ultimately turn out to be false, taking away from the time they could have spent investigating genuine security threats. This can be a significant issue in environments with many false positives. 

Can the SIEM be configured to generate fewer false positive alerts without missing genuine threats?   

In many cases the SIEM can be configured to reduce false positives without compromising security. This includes tuning the rules and adjusting thresholds to reduce the number of false positives generated. Changing the parameters around traffic and data sources can also help reduce false positives. 

Here at Ostra, to address false positives, we follow a systematic approach that includes daily checks to ensure alert consistency. We use multiple checkers to confirm that data stays unchanged and to identify new information. This helps us stay updated and respond effectively.

We also implement policies to reduce unwanted noise, allowing us to focus on genuine threats. Learning from past experiences, we prevent previously validated alerts from reoccurring. This ongoing process of review and adjustment helps our team effectively manage false positives. 

One real-world example we’ve experienced at Ostra involves frequent alerts from a popular RDM application used by our clients. Rather than investigating each alert individually (which is very time-consuming and inefficient) our team implemented a policy in our SIEM and XDR systems to suppress these regular alerts. To ensure ongoing efficacy, we then verify monthly with the client that they’re still using the application and cross-check the alert parameters. This approach has saved time and allows for prioritizing more urgent alerts. 

To reduce the number of false positives and improve overall security in the SOC environment, it is crucial to remain vigilant, conduct thorough investigations, and utilize multiple investigative techniques. It is also essential to balance the need to investigate thoroughly with the need to avoid being bogged down by an excess of false positives. 

The Bottom Line.

False positives in security alerts are a significant issue for security professionals that can consume valuable time and resources while decreasing the effectiveness of security measures. Partnering with a trusted cybersecurity partner like Ostra can provide much-needed relief and cutting-edge expertise to your stretched IT operations teams.

Contact us to learn more about what it means to be powered by Ostra Cybersecurity.

round wood plaque on blue stained wood background commemorating Ostra Cybersecurity's 5 year anniversary

The Ostra Journey: Reflecting on 5 Amazing Years

Five years ago, the decision to start Ostra Cybersecurity was not an easy one. Leaving a successful, well-paying IT job with Fortune-5 company perks so that I could help small businesses become more secure was definitely a mission-motivated move, but that was not my only reason for wanting to make a change. I was looking for more balance in my life and needed to increase my time spent with family and friends as well, so I took the plunge.

In 2018, that first year building out Ostra’s brand and taking our first crack at a security solution was fun and exciting, not to mention a vastly refreshing change of pace from hopping on an airplane every week to shake hands with higher-ups across the globe as the corporate grind pushed my body, mind, and soul to its limits.

Those early days working with various industry professionals to develop Ostra’s sales materials—while at the same time tackling the design engineering of our technology stack—made for long days and nights that blended together. Our first set of customers were patient with us and provided the invaluable feedback we needed in order to solidify our messaging and our solution so we could continue to grow.

Key Milestones

Ostra Cybersecurity 5-year Anniversary Timeline graphic

Since Ostra’s inception, there have been some key milestones that created inflection points for the business and our constant growth along the way. The first was my chance introduction to Joe Johnson, a transformational business leader who would later become the president at Ostra.

That following year, Joe and I were able to double the business and grow Ostra enough so we could move our operations out of my basement and public library conference rooms to our very first office space. Hiring the first four employees soon followed.

That momentum would continue with the addition of Paul Dobbins as Chief Growth Officer. This kicked off a fast-paced season that included building our channel partner program and adding 20 more employees, taking us to our current (and much larger) office space in Minnetonka, Minn.

Most recently, having my long-time friend Emad Bhatt join Ostra as VP of IT not only put one of the smartest engineering architects on our leadership team but secures our position as a technology leader in the security-as-a-service space.

As we mark our five-year anniversary in 2023, I am just blown away by how much Ostra has achieved. Being surrounded by my new Ostra family, building and growing a business with a mission to protect small businesses, and creating a positive culture that values people over money are just some of the things that have made this story so amazing.

For those who need a reminder of why Ostra exists—including the specific incident that led to our mission to fiercely defend and protect small businesses—check out this blog: The Ransomware Attack that Sparked Ostra Cybersecurity.

Remembering to pause and look at all the things creating gratitude in my life is sometimes hard to do in our fast-paced industry. But as I look around at all the employees, people, clients, and partners that have impacted this journey, I am forever grateful for every single person, challenge, and opportunity we have come across.

You have helped bring Ostra to where we are today. Thank you. (Off to grab another box of tissues.)

Ostra Cybersecurity Expands Senior Leadership Team

Emad Bhatt to lead Technology Services team as Vice President of IT.

Ostra Cybersecurity, a leading provider of world-class cybersecurity solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, recently welcomed Emad Bhatt as Vice President Information Technology. This latest hire speaks to Ostra’s significant expansion as a company, as well as the development of its Technology Services team—allowing us to provide more robust protections to an increasing number of clients.

Previously, Ostra Founder Michael Kennedy led many of the security operations responsibilities for the company. Having a new, dedicated leader who is laser-focused on technology and security operations will allow Kennedy to devote more time to his executive responsibilities and other initiatives as a visionary leader in the cybersecurity industry. By adding Emad to the Senior Leadership Team, Ostra further demonstrates its resolve to help consultants, IT and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) protect their clients through best-in-class, multi-layered, fully managed cybersecurity solutions.

In this key leadership role, Emad provides hands-on guidance to drive an effective, engaged and motivated team for Ostra’s growing Technology Services. He is responsible for IT Strategy, Roadmap, Product Development, setting, implementing, and providing nonstop evaluation of consistent standards for IT Architecture, Engineering, Security Operations Center and support systems that protect Ostra’s clients.

With a focus on being the Trusted Cybersecurity Team for its clients and partners, Ostra’s market niche is ensuring that top-notch data security solutions are accessible for small and medium-sized businesses. Ostra’s technology suite—combined with the service expertise of its channel partners—delivers a comprehensive solution that addresses a unique set of specialized IT challenges for businesses.

Emad’s expertise in strategic leadership and business/technology transformation, combined with his impressive background in Information Security Solution Architecture, are just a few strengths that make him a valuable leader and subject matter expert at Ostra

Previously, Emad led the Global M&A Architecture Team at UnitedHealth Group (Optum), where he worked with complex M&A integrations for almost a decade. During this time Emad enjoyed becoming a close colleague of Ostra’s founder, Michael Kennedy. The experience not only provided many opportunities for collaboration, but also laid the foundation for what later prompted Kennedy to launch Ostra as a Fortune 100-caliber cybersecurity service that’s accessible to SMBs.

“In addition to working together at Optum, Emad and I have been good friends for several years and there is no one whose technical expertise I respect more,” Michael said. “Bringing his expertise and leadership skills to the team takes Ostra to a whole new level in our ability to fight the war on cyber terror.”

Emad earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Computer Science) from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in India. He also maintains his accreditation in Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security (CCIE Security) and completed his Program for Accelerated Capability Enhancement (PACE) from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

In his new role at Ostra, Emad is excited to empower the team to drive business transformation and strategic growth. “I have a passion for building cutting-edge technology—particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, digital innovation, and new product development,” Emad said. “Here at Ostra, I am thrilled to be in the position to help others maximize the value of their investment in cybersecurity.”

Connect with Emad on LinkedIn, or email him at emad@ostra.net

Ostra’s Year in Review

As we officially begin the new year, we’re humbled to share some our top accomplishments of 2022. As Your Trusted Cybersecurity Team, Ostra is grateful to all of our Channel Partners, clients, shareholders and industry colleagues who helped us achieve great things last year. Here’s to an even more spectacular 2023!

 

Blocking Threats in 2022

In response to a huge increase in cyber threats throughout the year, the Ostra Cybersecurity Defense Team was busier than ever in 2022.

Security Stats

  • Ostra processed over 80 billion cybersecurity events in 2022
  • Of the 80 billion processed events, approximately 225 million were designated as active threats
  • Emails processed in 2022: 5 million
  • Emails blocked due to threats: 2 million

Industry Stats

Cyber Jargon won’t Protect Clients 

Ostra believes in listening to our clients, partners and peers in the industry, which is why we continue to engage our current clients and partners with Voice of Customer (VoC) surveys. Here’s what we learned in 2022…

  • SMB leaders shared they need solutions that reduces drain on internal operations and IT. Many prefer cybersecurity offerings that can be managed by their MSP as part of their service.
  • SMBs want their IT or MSP partner to care about their business and employees.
  • Survey respondents indicated they value a cybersecurity team that can provide hands-on, 24/7 support.
  • We were able to test and validate that the market trusts us to provide a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with real people and expertise behind it—NOT cyber jargon or IT people to talk over their heads.

Ostra is proud and humbled to be Your Trusted Cybersecurity Team—providing clients with the right tools managed by good people. And we could not protect our clients the way we do without our growing Channel Partner Network, which grew by more than 300% last year. These partnerships also enable Ostra to help our clients who are seeking referrals for MSP services, IT consulting, cyber insurance and/or security advisory services such as assessments, compliance and vCISO services.

Top Resources from 2022

Ostra’s mission remains focused on educating our community with cybersecurity news, trends and best practices. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite blogs from 2022:

We will continue to deliver more educational content in 2023, directly from our cybersecurity experts. Stay tuned for more on our blog and on LinkedIn.

Ready to explore how our Trusted Cybersecurity Team can support your business in 2023 and beyond? Contact Ostra today.

 

1 Q3 2022 Coveware report ($258,143); 2Barracuda Networks report via PR Newswire (3/2022); 3Coveware Marketplace Report (Q2 2022).

Employee Spotlight: Anthony Stephens, Advanced Security Analyst

Next up in Ostra’s Employee Spotlight series is Anthony Stephens, Advanced Security Analyst. We recently sat down with him to discuss his role at Ostra, what makes him tick, his experience and his life outside of work.

Career & Life at Ostra

Describe what you do at Ostra in one sentence.

I oversee the Security Operations Center here at Ostra by providing insight and analysis of all logs to protect our customers.

What initially interested you about Ostra Cybersecurity in the first place? What about our mission do you connect with?

The mindset and passion of the team is what initially interested me about Ostra. Right from the start I could tell they cared about protecting their customers and providing the best security solutions. 

What do you believe is the best thing about Ostra or the Ostra team?

The best thing about Ostra is the team’s passion, everyone truly takes security to heart and are passionate about protecting our customers.

What’s the first thing that you do when you start working every day?

I start each day by reading news articles and catching up on security research blogs and twitter feeds.

What do you find most challenging about your role at Ostra?

Knowing we must strive to succeed 100% of the time against adversaries, but threats only have to succeed one time.

What advice would you offer someone looking to take on a role similar to yours?

To keep asking questions, reading and learning. Take steps back and look at each situation through the eyes of your adversaries and find choke points within the environments.

OK, now for some fun questions

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Sitting on a server room floor within the hot aisle

If Ostra announced a last-minute day off for tomorrow, what would you do with your suddenly free day?

I would spend the day with my family.

Three words to best describe you.

Husband, Father, and geek.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

I will get it done when everyone else is asleep

Want to be a part of Ostra’s culture and team? Learn more about working at Ostra and apply for open positions!

Field Report: ” Phished by Association”

When it comes to phishing, attackers are becoming highly creative in the way they deliver the phish. They are doing a lot more reconnaissance work and it is our duty to ensure we are being more alert to avoid this form of social engineering.

SIGNS OF DANGER

Recently, Ostra came across a case of “phishing by association” that is a great reminder of why it is important for businesses to foster open and transparent relationships with vendors and partners.

One Friday evening, a client contacted us to say that she strongly believed her workstation had been compromised. After hearing her concerns, the Ostra Cybersecurity Defense Team started vigorously working on the situation.

We began with a few questions to get more information as to why she believed her environment had been compromised. She mentioned a vendor she was doing business with had been breached, and the cyber criminals sent phishing emails to their contacts. When she received the phishing email, she unfortunately clicked on it because she thought it was a legitimate email from the vendor.

CONTAINING THE THREAT

The first thing Ostra encouraged the client to do was to reset all her passwords. In situations like this, attackers are gathering credentials to hold for future use. Changing passwords immediately prevents the use of the credentials.

After ensuring the client changed her passwords, we immediately started reviewing her traffic logs to search for any suspicious events.

Fortunately, everything seemed healthy on her workstation and connected devices. However, Ostra continued to monitor the situation over the weekend and through the following week until we were satisfied that no damage had been done and her environment was secure.

Eunice Asemnor, Security Analyst at Ostra, stated that it was especially helpful that the client reached out immediately after clicking the email in this case. “It gave our Cyber Defense Team the ability to promptly remediate and handle the situation.” She added that this scenario illustrates the importance of being cautious with every email you receive—even from trusted vendors.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THE TRAIL

Although many phishing emails come from strangers, “phishing by association” is a tactic where cyber criminals send emails that appear to originate from a vendor that the client has worked with in the past.

Shown above is an example of what this type of phishing email might look like, along with some clues that it warrants further scrutiny.

Even if a company has all the best cybersecurity measures in place, they can still be vulnerable to attacks if their third-party vendors are not protected. This is why Ostra encourages clients to build trust through proactive communication with outside vendors, while also holding them accountable to ensure they are keeping up with the best security practices.

5 Tips for Phishing Prevention

Ostra recommends taking the following steps to minimize your risk of falling victim to a phishing scheme:

  1. When using email, always be careful and take necessary precautions before clicking links or opening attachments.
  2. Watch for the following red flags, which are indications that the email could be a phishing attempt:
    • Spelling mistakes, typos, unusual phrases or poor grammar.
    • Calls to action that include deadlines or suggested consequences to create panic.
  1. Beware of bogus links. Like in the case of our client, phishing attempts may include a legitimate-looking link. Simply hover your mouse over the link and it will reveal the actual URL. Most trustworthy banks and financial institutions use “https://” in their URL. You can also search for the company’s official website, and then compare their domain to the URL being represented in the email.
  2. Be diligent in examining “From” addresses, which can be forged to appear legitimate. Attackers can use a minor typo to make it appear like it is coming from your CEO or bank. Be very alert to check if the email is coming from a true source.
  3. Emails requesting personal information should always be handled with care. Do not provide usernames, passwords, or other personal company information without due diligence.

NEED A CYBER GUIDE?

At Ostra, we pride ourselves on educating our clients and providing Fortune 100-caliber cybersecurity to businesses of every size—including small and medium-sized companies. To explore how you can get started with a trusted cybersecurity advisor to better protect your business or clients from phishing attempts, ransomware and other cyber threats, contact Ostra today.

Getting Started With a Trusted Cybersecurity Advisor

Today’s leaders of small businesses and medium-sized companies are busy. These multi-taskers are launching new products, building workplace culture, growing their organizations, and figuring out how to attract and retain top talent. Not to mention… keeping up with technology and managing cyber risks in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Since ransomware perpetrators are increasingly targeting SMBs, cybersecurity should be on every business owner’s radar. But how do you get started? In the video below, Ostra Cybersecurity President Joe Johnson shares tips for finding the right trusted advisor to help build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

A recent Forbes survey revealed that 78% of small business owners planned to make technology a top investment in 2022. Their priorities included things such as digital transformation initiatives, improving internal processes/workflows, and more.

But most leaders—even CIOs—don’t have the time or expertise to stay ahead of every curve and sub-specialty in the area of technology. That’s why it is important to work with a trusted cybersecurity advisor who is interested in protecting your organization, not just driving sales for their organization.

Watch the video above to learn more about how a trusted advisor can help you take steps to ensure you’re taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity with a comprehensive strategy and program. Or, to hear more from Joe Johnson on this topic, check out this free, full-length webinar: Get a Grip on Cybersecurity and Cyber Insurance, Presented by Ostra and Trava.

Contact Ostra to learn why our multilayered, comprehensive cybersecurity solution is essential for businesses of every size.

Employee Spotlight: Claudia Madrigal, Executive Administrator & Project Manager

Next up in Ostra’s Employee Spotlight series is Claudia Madrigal, Executive Administrator and Project Manager. We recently sat down with her to discuss her role at Ostra, what makes her tick, her experience, and her life outside of work.

Career & Life at Ostra

Describe what you do at Ostra in one sentence.

I coordinate the onboarding of new Ostra partners and clients, implement internal and external processes, and handle various operational tasks. I also take it upon myself to pet all the dogs that visit our office!

What initially interested you about Ostra Cybersecurity in the first place? What about our mission do you connect with?

The fact that Ostra was a start-up initially interested me. As a part of their mission, Ostra puts people first always, both clients and employees. I experienced this firsthand when I had to take several weeks off due to COVID immediately after I started working for Ostra. It’s a very supportive environment.

What excites you most about your position and growth opportunity at Ostra?

I enjoy the variety of work I do, as well as liaising with different departments and clients. Although Michael Kennedy keeps asking me how I want my role to grow in the company, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!

What do you believe is the best thing about Ostra or the Ostra team?

Ostra encourages autonomy, self-development and work-life balance. The company climate, spirit of cooperation and my team members’ senses of humor are what make it so enjoyable to go to work every day.

What’s the first thing that you do when you start working every day?

Coffee first always. The Nespresso machine is the main reason why I come into the office every day. After coffee, I meet with Ostra’s Cybersecurity Operations team to plan the day’s priorities.

What do you find most challenging about your role at Ostra?

Balancing the strategic work with the operational needs of a growing company. Currently, the majority of my time is taken up with onboarding new clients and partners— a fun problem to have!

What advice would you offer to someone looking to take on a role similar to yours?

Always look for what can be done more efficiently and how you can best support your team.

What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?

I don’t see myself being pigeon-holed into a narrow role and I’m always interested in learning new things. I would probably continue to work in operations, but maybe in a completely different industry.

OK, now for some fun questions

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

I’m originally from Portugal, so it will always be my home. But my favorite place is anywhere I haven’t visited yet.

If Ostra announced a last-minute day off for tomorrow, what would you do with your suddenly free day?

If the weather was nice, I would be out riding my motorcycle. However, if it’s cold or raining, I would curl up with a book and the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle.

Name one thing not a lot of people know about you.

I can make balloon animals!

Three words to best describe you.

Independent, get stuff done, and versatile.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

Learning for the sake of learning.

Want to be a part of Ostra’s culture and team? Learn more about working at Ostra and apply for open positions!

[Webinar Recap] Get a Grip on Cyber Security & Cyber Insurance

Did you miss “Get a Grip on Cyber Security & Cyber Insurance,” the free webinar presented by Ostra and Trava on April 20? With cybercrime and ransomware increasing exponentially in today’s business climate, small and medium-sized businesses must be more cyber-savvy than ever in their day-to-day operations.

Watch a free, on-demand replay of the webinar to learn how SMBs can better protect themselves and manage risks by sharpening their grasp of cybersecurity and cyber insurance. The webinar was co-hosted by Trava, one of Ostra’s trusted Channel Partners. Trava is a cyber risk management firm that integrates assessments, vCISO insights, and insurance to protect small and midsize businesses from the potential damage of cyber threats.

In this educational 30-minute session, Trava’s CEO/Founder Jim Goldman moderates a discussion with Ostra’s President, Joe Johnson, as well as Ryan Dunn, Director of Insurance at Trava. These cyber industry experts cover topics such as:

  • What is the relationship between cyber security maturity and cyber insurance for small and medium sized businesses?
  • How can SMBs sort through the noise of cyber security and cyber insurance in order to prioritize strategies?
  • What action items should an SMB take to establish their own comprehensive cyber security program?
  • Are there key questions to ask your tech team and vendors when assessing cyber solutions?
  • What’s the difference between cybersecurity vs. cyber liability insurance? Do you really need both?

The current situation

Ryan Dunn shared that insurance is always more successful when carriers have enough data on hand to effectively predict probabilities and risk factors. However, since cyber risks are constantly changing, risk profiles from even five years ago are no longer relevant today.

Compounding the problem, many of today’s cyber insurance applications are full of overly-technical or irrelevant questions that have no ability to uncover the real-time, gaping holes in a company’s cybersecurity strategy. For example, if a company says they are using multi-factor authentication as part of their cybersecurity strategy, is anyone fact-checking or validating that? Also, just because a company might have adequate guardrails around their data today—or at the time of their insurance application—doesn’t mean they will still be safe tomorrow, next week, or next month.

In summary, hardly anyone is comfortable in the current cyber insurance landscape. On one hand, business owners are dealing with insurance premium increases with almost no losses. Meanwhile, insurance agents are dealing with increased cybersecurity requirements and stipulations from insurance carriers—they are not cybersecurity experts, and yet they have to relay this news to clients. A massive increase in cyberattacks is fueling the cycle, yet it’s practically impossible to predict a cybersecurity loss using traditional actuarial tables.

The path forward

Tackling cybersecurity and cyber insurance can produce an overwhelming sense of “doom and gloom” if you are looking at it from reactionary standpoint. Being proactive, taking stock, and having a plan is a much better approach.

According to Joe Johnson, it’s essential for SMBs to understand their cybersecurity vulnerabilities before proceeding with a plan of attack. In practical terms, he recommends the following sequence.

Building Your Cybersecurity Strategy

  1. Conduct cybersecurity assessments to identify in vulnerabilities
  2. Find a vCISO or a trusted advisor with a vested interest in protecting your business and your clients
  3. Provide regular, ongoing cybersecurity training for employees
  4. Put cybersecurity policies in place to protect your organization
  5. Deploy cybersecurity tools with multiple layers of high-caliber defense to protect against known and unknown threats
  6. Prepare for an event, which should include cyber insurance as well as an incident response plan, regular penetration testing, and active monitoring

Since most business owners and even IT departments don’t have in-depth cybersecurity expertise, an important first step is to reach out to an expert or trusted advisor who can partner with you in these steps. Download: Cybersecurity Strategy Tips from Ostra and Trava.

Access the Free, On-Demand Replay

To access a free replay of this webinar, click here.

Learn more about Ostra’s commitment to making cybersecurity more cost-effective for small and medium-sized businesses, or contact Ostra today to get started with a free cybersecurity assessment.

To learn more about cyber insurance, connect with Trava.

[Webinar Recap] A Titanic Mistake: Incident Response Without Active Monitoring

Mike Thompson from FRSecure and Ostra Cybersecurity’s own Michael Kennedy recently teamed up to present a free, 30-minute webinar: “A Titanic Mistake: Incident Response Without Active Monitoring.”

If you missed the live webinar, keep reading to get the overview or watch the full webinar recording here.

Webinar Highlights: Lessons from the Titanic

Co-hosted by Ostra and  FRSecure, this online event offered participants the chance to learn from two of the region’s most well-respected leaders in cybersecurity, delivered in an accessible and engaging format.

Potential cyberattacks are often like icebergs: they’re floating all around you, and you can’t be sure exactly what lies beneath the surface. So how do you give your organization the precious resources it needs to outmaneuver an iceberg-sized cyber event and avoid a dangerous hit?

In their informative 30-minute session, Thompson and Kennedy covered:

  • How to assess what’s underneath the surface in the “ice field” of threats to uncover the full impact of an event
  • Real-world examples of cyber event “icebergs” and what we can learn from them
  • Best practices for steering around the “Bergy Bits” with layered security and vigilant SOC monitoring
  • Actions companies can do to minimize the danger of a “sinking ship” when incidents occur
  • It’s not just about icebergs—facing the reality of internal threats, both intentional and accidental

Although no cybersecurity method is completely infallible, there are a number of measures that can aid in minimizing the likelihood of an attack and shortening the time it takes to detect one. For example, a key point that the co-presenters discussed in the webinar focused on the need to simply raise awareness about how outside organizations are interacting with your data, and the level of risk that might be involved.

“Organizations of all sizes are bigger than they seem,” Kennedy pointed out as he and Thompson shared more about how threats can lurk beneath the surface. As it turns out, most companies—even the smallest ones—are giving some sort of access to outsiders such as web developers, marketing firms, facility management vendors, printer support vendors, and more. Kennedy urged participants to consider a very important question: “Who has third-party access to your data?”

Thomspon agreed, pointing to Target and Okta as just some of the more publicized examples where domain addresses and credentials were compromised by third parties. But he cautioned, “For every one company that you hear about, there are probably 1000 that you don’t.”

In case you missed this latest educational collaboration between FRSecure and Ostra, be sure to check out the on-demand video recording here.

About the Presenters

As the Incident Case Manager/Team Lead at FRSecure, Mike Thompson is an information security veteran who has had a front-row seat to the damage done when companies neglect to actively monitor cyber threats.

Likewise, Ostra Cybersecurity Founder Michael Kennedy is recognized as a cybersecurity industry trailblazer. Prior to starting Ostra, he spent more than 20 years building, leading and scaling security platforms for Fortune 5 companies including the world’s largest healthcare provider.

Both Thompson and Kennedy share a passion for utilizing a proactive strategy to protect vulnerable businesses—especially small and medium-sized companies. Their extensive experience has convinced them that prevention is far easier and more cost-effective than trying to recover from a data breach or ransomware event that has already occurred. 

How Ostra and FRSecure Collaborate

Ostra enjoys partnering with companies like FRSecure who share our commitment to protecting businesses. Learn more about the proactive partnership that FRSecure and Ostra share when it comes to data security in our Cyber Allies blog.

Launched in 2012, FRSecure is an innovative, Minnesota-based consulting and testing company that is known for being Information Security Experts on a Mission to Fix a Broken Industry. Their award-winning technical team performs risk assessments, penetration testing, incident response forensics, technical research, and cybersecurity planning. FRSecure also advises clients who have questions about how to integrate cybersecurity into their existing environment, or who need help creating an overall cybersecurity strategy to fill gaps in their current systems.

Watch the free, on-demand replay of “A Titanic Mistake” here.

Make sure to visit FRSecure’s Resources Page as well as Ostra Cybersecurity’s Blog for relevant and timely content on a variety of cybersecurity topic.

If you have questions about cybersecurity or want to take advantage of a free cybersecurity assessment, contact Ostra or FRSecure today.

 

Ostra Cybersecurity Adds Director to Lead Partner Success Team Through Exponential Growth

Ostra Cybersecurity, a leading provider of world-class cybersecurity solutions tailored for small and medium-sized businesses, is pleased to welcome Laura Riebschlager as Director of Partner Success. This new hire is the latest example of the company’s strategic investment in its Channel Partner program, which continues to generate exponential growth for the company.

Ostra Cybersecurity’s channel partner program is designed to help its network of consultants, IT and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) enhance value for their small to medium-sized business clients by offering comprehensive data protection solutions.

In this role, Riebschlager will focus on building a team of talented experts who can ensure that Ostra never loses its personal touch with clients, despite the rapid growth that is occurring. Among other things, she will support new and existing Channel Partners by developing strategic plans, trainings, marketing resources, and tools that make it even easier for them to meet their goals.

Ostra’s market niche is ensuring that top-notch data security solutions are accessible for small and medium-sized businesses. Many of today’s organizations are navigating massive changes in their virtual workforces, IT infrastructure and data security regulations. Ostra Cybersecurity’s technology suite—combined with the service expertise of its channel partners—deliver a comprehensive solution that addresses a unique set of specialized IT challenges facing business owners today.

Riebschlager is a fierce advocate for partners and clients in the technology industry. With more than 17 years of sales and operations experience, she specializes in working with SMBs as well as top tech leaders. Prior to joining Ostra, Riebschlager already had experience collaborating with the core leadership team at Ostra—including Director of Strategic Partnerships Mike Barlow, Chief Growth Officer Paul Dobbins, and President Joe Johnson. Their careers all intersected at various tech-related companies over the years.

According to Barlow, Riebschlager’s account leadership experience in the technology space makes her a valuable asset to Ostra’s partner success team.

“Ostra’s growing Channel Partner network has been like a fast-moving train over the past year,” Barlow said. “And we don’t see it slowing anytime soon. We are thrilled to have Laura as a dedicated resource to connect our partners with the cybersecurity expertise and support to accelerate their own success.”

Previously, Laura worked as an Account Director at Phobio, where she co-created multiple programs for SMBs to buy and sell used electronics. Laura also held sales management roles at companies such as Fortegra, the second largest credit insurer in the U.S., and Brightstar, the global leader of end-to-end mobile device lifecycle management solutions. Laura earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help ensure that Ostra is constantly delivering on its mission to provide Fortune 100-level protection for businesses of all sizes,” Riebschlager said. “As someone who really enjoys thinking outside the box to solve problems for clients, I am thrilled to be a part of Ostra’s service-driven culture.”

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn, or email her at LauraR@ostra.net.

Employee Spotlight: Johnathan Erwin, Security Engineer

Ostra is kicking off our first employee spotlight with our Security Engineer, Johnathan Erwin from Ostra’s Cybersecurity Operations team. We recently sat down with him to talk about his role at Ostra, what makes him tick, his experience, and his life outside of work.

Career & Life at Ostra

Describe what you do at Ostra in one sentence.

I help support Ostra’s Cybersecurity Operations, and make sure everything runs smoothly for our team and clients. (And whatever else Michael Kennedy tells me to do! Haha.)

What initially interested you about Ostra Cybersecurity in the first place?

I worked with Michael Kennedy previously at Optum, and really enjoyed working with him. I was interested in learning more about cybersecurity, so joining the team at Ostra made a lot of sense.

What excites you most about your position and growth opportunity at Ostra?

I like that the opportunities are ever changing. I also enjoy building new tools, learning something new or finding something new to try. At Ostra, there is always something new to try, learn or take on.

What do you believe is the best thing about Ostra or the Ostra team?

The best thing about Ostra is our work environment. Ostra’s leaders have built an amazing culture where people are here to work and help each other. Our team cares for each other, is flexible and communicates well.

What do you find most challenging about your role at Ostra?

At Ostra, I never know what the day will hold. I can come prepared with my best laid plan, and then something shifts, and I must switch gears. Each day it is something new, and I must always be prepared for whatever comes.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to take on a role similar to yours?

I would say to get really good at using Google. Haha! But seriously, be comfortable asking questions, multi-tasking, shifting gears often and being prepared for a changing workload.

What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?

I would love to do something in the music business. I have played bass and guitar for the most of my life and would pursue that as a career.

OK, now for some fun questions

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

My favorite place in the world would definitely be a concert. It doesn’t matter which one, simply any concert.

Name one thing not a lot of people know about you.

I have a huge sweet tooth—cookies are the best bribe!

Three words to best describe you.

Silly, hardworking, and caring.

Name the most interesting place you have ever visited.

I had the opportunity to visit a gem mine in North Carolina called Emerald Hallow. A memory I will never forget!

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

I’ll rest when I’m dead.

 

Want to be a part of Ostra’s culture and team? Learn more about working at Ostra and view our open positions!

Why SMBs are hot targets for ransomware (and how to avoid becoming a statistic)

Although today’s businesses of every size are busy navigating data security issues, cybercriminals know that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are even more vulnerable.

In the U.S. alone, there are 32.5 million small businesses—defined as having fewer than 500 employees. They make up about 99.9% of all U.S. businesses (Small Business Administration, 2021). For cybercriminals, that’s a wide-open field of prime targets for ransomware.

Why are SMBs more vulnerable? There are several factors, including:

  • Smaller IT/security staff and infrastructure
  • Lack of awareness or knowledge about how to protect themselves
  • A false sense of security (e.g., “criminals only target huge companies”)
  • Belief they cannot afford to implement the same robust safety measures as larger firms

Some SMBs rely on consumer-grade, off-the-shelf solutions to protect their data. But SMBs deserve a better approach to protecting one of their most valuable assets—their data, and their customers’ data. Read more about why cybersecurity should be on every business owner’s radar.

Know Your Risk

Consider these alarming statistics about the impact of cyberattacks on SMBs:

1Coveware Marketplace Report (Q4 2020). 2 Coveware blog: Size of Companies Impacted by Ransomware in Q2 2021 (July 2021). 3 Corporate Compliance Insights blog (June 2020) and 2020 Incident Response & Data Breach Report by Crypsis. 4 Stats found on www.coveware.com for Q1 2021 ($220,298), Q2 2021 ($136,576) and Q3 2021 ($139,739) indicate the average payment in Q1-Q3 was $165,53.

Here are a few additional facts that show why it’s important for SMBs to protect their data:

  • 42% of small businesses were targeted by internet criminals in 2021. Source: Embroker
  • 2 out of 5 SMBs have fallen victim to a ransomware attack. Source: Datto’s 2020 Global State of the Channel Ransomware Report
  • 47% of small firms (1- 50 employees) and 63% of medium sized firms (50-249 employees) experienced one or more cyberattack in 2019. Source: Hiscox Insurance
  • Over 4,000 ransomware attacks PER DAY took place around the world in 2021. Source: TechJury/ FBI
  • 66% of SMBs experienced a cyber-attack in 2019; and yet 45% of SMBs surveyed said that their processes are ineffective at mitigating attacks. Source: Ponemon Institute
  • There were 226.3 million global ransomware attacks between January and May 2021, an increase of 116% year-to-date over 2020. Source: SonicWall

From Big to Middle

According to Coveware, an incident response and recovery firm, ransomware continues to affect small businesses disproportionately because “the profits ransomware actors generate are too high, and the risks are too low.”

In their October 2021 article, Ransomware attackers down shift to ‘Mid Game’ hunting, Coveware stated:

“In Q3 almost 44% of attacks impacted businesses with between 101-1,000 employees, up from 38% in Q2, reflecting threat actors potentially shifting from Big Game Hunting to Mid Game Hunting.”

Awareness Inspires Prevention

Many ransomware perpetrators try to gain access to data through human error, weak or compromised passwords, or even by attempting to get a company insider to assist them. That’s one reason that Ostra advises SMB clients to raise awareness among employees about data security. Staff who are trained, aware and committed to data privacy can provide an invaluable layer of defense against ransomware.

For an inspiring example of this, read Ostra’s blog about a vigilant Tesla employee who helped prevent a massive ransomware attack at the company. Admittedly, Tesla is definitely NOT a small business—but the same principle of being prepared can benefit SMBs as well.

The Ransomware Attack that Sparked Ostra

Cybersecurity trailblazer Michael Kennedy started Ostra Cybersecurity after a ransomware attack wreaked havoc on his friend’s small business. Read the full story here.

Ostra was founded with the belief that SMBs should be able to access the robust, layered data protection tools and strategies that the world’s largest companies rely on. Ostra’s managed cybersecurity solution offers Fortune 100-caliber, 360-degree protection that allows companies of all sizes to protect their most valuable asset—their data.

Ready to learn more about how to prevent ransomware and other cyber threats from impacting your company or your clients? Contact Ostra today.

Awareness Leads to Action: Why Data Privacy Matters

To anyone who is familiar with Ostra’s history as well as our team culture, it is no surprise that we are passionate about data privacy. Ostra is a proud 2022 Data Privacy Week Champion because we were founded on the belief that all businesses and individuals have a fundamental right to data privacy and security.

January 24 – 28, 2022 is Data Privacy Week—a global initiative to generate awareness about the importance of online privacy. In addition to educating citizens on how to manage and secure their personal information, Data Privacy Week encourages businesses to respect data and be more transparent about how they collect and use customer data.

What does data privacy mean?

Individuals and businesses approach data privacy in slightly different ways:

  • As individuals, we are usually more concerned with protecting our personal information, securing our financial or health records, keeping our families safe on social media, or reducing the risk of personal property being stolen.
  • For businesses, however, data privacy is more complex. It’s not just about protecting the data of their company, employees, or investors. They also need to be accountable for how they are handling data for their clients, vendors, or any other organizations that they interact with.

But in all cases, data privacy is simply about minimizing opportunities for others to exploit data for personal, professional, political, social or financial gain.

The path to action

According to a Pew Research Center study, 79% of U.S. adults report being concerned about the way their data is being used by companies.

Yet, at the same time, many of us in the information security industry hear comments like, “Who cares if Big Brother is listening to what kind of cereal I like?” People know they are being targeted, but the outrage has worn off.

When Ostra conducts cybersecurity assessments for our clients, we typically try to find out where they fit on the scale of concern for their data security and data privacy.


After spending more than 20 years in this industry, I’ve seen attitudes about data privacy that range from apathy to paranoia. Both ends of this spectrum are problematic.


How can we best position ourselves to champion data privacy? I am a big fan of awareness that leads to action. This concept is illustrated below:

On the left side, Apathy leaves people unmotivated, leading to careless inaction. On the other end, Paranoia creates a fatalistic outlook, which can be just as paralyzing. Neither of these extremes tend to move people forward. But right in the middle is Awareness, which leads to action.

Businesses can build employee awareness about data privacy by asking these questions:

  • Whose data do we have?
  • What kind of data do we have? (Financial, personal/health information, etc.)
  • Should we even have this data?
  • Who has access to this data? (And is anyone overseeing these permissions?)
  • How do we secure this data?

Individuals can take data privacy more seriously by thinking about:

  • Where is my personal data being stored?
  • Who has access to my personal data?

Privacy Frameworks

As companies dive further into the topic of data privacy, they should also develop an official Data Privacy Policy or framework if none exists.

What is a Data Privacy Policy? It is simply a roadmap that your company can follow to keep sensitive data secure. Your policy might outline the following:

  • Methods you use to manage/store private data
  • Standards or procedures for encrypting your data
  • What to do if an employee is on the receiving end of private data that they should not have access to
  • Procedures about who is a gatekeeper for sensitive, confidential or HIPAA-protected data
  • Definitions about what is considered private or confidential data
  • Guidelines for sharing or forwarding data to non-gatekeepers

Train your employees (and then train them again, and again…)

A policy is only as good as the people who follow it—or don’t. So once you have a framework in place, it’s time to ensure your employees are properly trained, regularly updated, and are inspired to share your commitment to data privacy.

Training topics or roundtable conversations might include:

  • What is protected information?
  • What are some scenarios where private data might be exposed, unintentionally?
  • What should I do if I accidentally receive something from a client or employee that I shouldn’t?
  • How do I report a data privacy breach or incident?
  • What are best practices for keeping my laptop, smartphone or network files secure?

Data privacy training doesn’t have to be formal or complicated. It could be a casual lunch-and-learn or Q&A session. The goal is to get employees thinking and talking about their role in ensuring data privacy at the company.

At a minimum, I recommend that businesses host quarterly or monthly data privacy trainings for every employee and contractor. Since Ostra believes so strongly in data privacy, our security team talks about it at least once per month—sometimes as part of our all-company town halls, or even more frequently at smaller gatherings. We know that regular, ongoing conversations about data privacy are crucial to proactively protecting ourselves, our company and our clients.

Links between personal & business data privacy

Your personal and company data might be more interconnected than you realize. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for cracks in the armor to help them gain access to a company’s client list, financial data, intellectual property, or other important information.

Whether you are the CEO or a part-time intern, it’s important to consider:

  • How much information are you sharing on your personal social media accounts that might make your password easier to crack? (i.e. birthdates, anniversary dates, middle names, location details, etc.)
  • Do you participate in online surveys or quizzes that gather your personal details? If so, could your answers be used to put your data at risk?
  • Do you ever check email from an unsecured network—e.g., while at home or at your local coffee shop?
  • Have you checked the privacy settings on the many apps have installed on your smartphone?

By collecting unsecured personal information, impersonators can build profiles of employees to gain access to sensitive data at the places where they work.

Of course, many people can’t imagine their company might be a prime target for things such as ransomware—especially those who work for SMBs. But cyber attacks are not just aimed at multi-national, Fortune 100 corporations. A 2Q 2021 Coveware report stated that more than 75% of ransomware cyberattacks occur on companies with less than 1,000 employees.


Impersonating employees by researching their personal data is a common strategy that criminals can use to initiate ransomware attacks, credit card fraud, industrial espionage and more.


About Data Privacy Week

January 24 – 28, 2022 is Data Privacy Week. In 2022, National Cybersecurity Alliance expanded its annual Data Privacy Day campaign from a single day (January 28) to a week-long initiative. Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of Data Protection Day in Europe, which commemorates the Jan. 28, 1981 signing of the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection (known as Convention 108). For more info about Data Privacy week and other initiatives from the National Cybersecurity Alliance, visit staysafeonline.org.

About Ostra

As a next-generation MSSP, Ostra Cybersecurity combines best-in-class tools, proprietary technology and exceptional talent to deliver Fortune 100-level protection for businesses of all sizes. The result is a multi-layered, 360° solution that allows you to set it and forget it. For more information, visit www.ostra.net.

Remote Control: Prioritizing Cybersecurity in the Hybrid Workplace

As a 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion, Ostra is proud to help shed more light on security vulnerabilities and help secure our interconnected world.

In cooperation with the National Cyber Security Alliance, Ostra Cybersecurity invites our clients and partners to join us as we continue to use the month of October to spread more awareness and take action to protect the valuable data that is online.

Below are tips to help guide our community to better data privacy in the world of remote work. These tips are more relevant than ever, as remote and hybrid workforces continue to shape how companies interact with their employees and customers.

Remote Working Trends

In this day and age, employees are more connected than ever. The hybrid workplace is here to stay, and for employees, this means relying on connected devices from their home office setups.

According to recent data, smart home systems are set to rise to a market value of $157 billion by 2023, and the number of installed connected devices in the home is expected to rise by a staggering 70% by 2025. In this new normal where smart devices and consequently online safety are a must, here are some tips for securing those devices.

Remember smart devices need smart security

Make cybersecurity a priority when purchasing a connected device. When setting up a new device, be sure to set up the privacy and security settings on web services and devices bearing in mind that you can limit who you are sharing information with. Once your device is set up, remember to keep tabs on how secure the information is that you store on it, and to actively manage location services so as not to unwittingly expose your location.

Put cybersecurity first in your job

Make cybersecurity a priority when you are brought into a new role. Good online hygiene should be part of any organization’s onboarding process, but if it is not, then take it upon yourself to exercise best practices to keep your company safe.

Cybersecurity has become a loaded concept. There are so many things to consider when protecting your data—whether you are working at home, remotely/on the road, or in a traditional office setting.

Some basic precautions include performing regular software updates, and enabling MFAs. You can also contact Ostra to explore how a cybersecurity assessment can reveal what vulnerabilities you may have, and how you can stay ahead of threats.

Make passwords and passphrases long and strong

Whether or not the website you are on requires it, be sure to combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create the most secure password. Generic passwords are easy to hack. If you need help remembering and storing your passwords, don’t hesitate to turn to a password manager for assistance.

If you are a business owner, it’s more important than ever to make sure you are doing everything you can to protect your most valuable asset—your data, and your clients’ data.

Malware attacks, phishing scams and ransomware events are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized businesses. Being prepared and preventing these disruptions is not just about convenience; it can be a matter of survival. Check out our blog, Why Cybersecurity Should Be On Every Business Owner’s Radar, for tips on how you can protect your business.

Never use public computers to log in to any accounts

While working from home, you may be tempted to change scenery and work from a coffee shop or another type of public space. While this is a great way to keep the day from becoming monotonous, caution must be exercised to protect yourself and your company from harm’s way. Make sure that security is top of mind always, and especially while working in a public setting, by keeping activities as generic and anonymous as possible.

Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth when idle

The uncomfortable truth is, when WiFi and Bluetooth are on, they can connect and track your whereabouts. To stay as safe as possible, if you do not need them, switch them off. It’s a simple step that can help alleviate tracking concerns and incidents.

These are just a few simple steps towards achieving the best online safety possible. Staying safe online is an active process that requires constant overseeing at every stage – from purchasing and setting up a device, to making sure that your day-to-day activities are not putting anyone at risk. By following these steps, you are doing your part to keep yourself and your company safe from malicious online activity.

To learn some additional ways to protect your data while working remotely, check out our 2021 Cybersecurity Strategies blog.

What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

Now in its 18th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online.

The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals committed to the Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme of ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’

As a 2021 Champion, Ostra supports this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative which is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Contact Ostra for a free cybersecurity assessment or to explore how you can stay ahead of threats.

Let’s Talk Cybersecurity: Hacks & Hops Recap with Ostra

Did you miss the Hacks & Hops Virtual Security Conference on October 14? We weren’t able to connect in person this year, but this year’s event did not disappoint even though we got together virtually.

Hosted by FRSecure, one of Ostra’s Channel Partners, Hacks and Hops is a free, full-day virtual conference that brings information security professionals together to learn, network and enjoy beer (over Zoom, anyway!) Ostra was a proud sponsor of this year’s event.

Getting Real: The Problem with Technology Providers and MSSPs

It was a jam-packed day of best practice sharing from experts across the industry. Several speakers presented on topics ranging from mental health, cyber insurance, MSSPs, and more. We hosted a thought-provoking conversation with Ostra’s Founder, Michael Kennedy.

In his engaging and authentic style, Michael shared a 40-minute presentation entitled The Problem with Technology Providers and MSSPs. It explored cybersecurity best practices, challenges being ignored (by clients and providers), and opportunities for all to keep learning and do better.

Watch a free, on-demand replay of Mike’s full session here.

In the first portion of his presentation, Michael shared how an MSSP/Tech Provider’s best practices of honesty, advocacy and transparency are key to recognizing and rewarding clients’ current cybersecurity efforts.

In the cybersecurity world, there’s a lot of good being done, but we still have more to do. In his session, Michael shared his top three best practices that are key for any MSSP or tech provider to recognize and reward clients’ on cybersecurity efforts.

1. Best Practice #1: Honesty

It’s important to recognize what clients are doing right. Michael reminded participants, “If it’s a competitor tool and it’s a pretty good one, give them credit for getting something implemented—we all know it’s difficult to buy, implement, and manage tools.”

Another way service providers can be honest is to build trust—not fear. This can be hard, especially if you find out a customer is doing something that is really putting their organization at immediate risk. But Michael encouraged tech providers to first care about their customer’s business, what they do, and why they are successful before starting to critique their attack surface.

 

“A foundation of trust helps clients honestly share their concerns and fears. This lets us, as their partners, truly help them detect, prevent and remediate threats.”

2. Best Practice #2: Advocacy

When clients get a list of things to do that they don’t know how to execute, a good technology partner will be their advocate and help relieve the burden.

According to Michael, “Reports mean nothing if we are not there to walk customers through it or help them.” He emphasized the need to educate customers so they understand the tools and resources they are using, and how they work—versus just selling them a product or a blinking light.

In his experience, it’s about being the trusted partner who can detect, prevent and remediate. “We see quite a few businesses who are tired of not knowing how to manage the tools that were sold to them.”

3. Best Practice #3: Transparency

Michael believes in sharing the pros and cons of competitors, and said MSSPs should not be afraid to work with multiple channel partners or give outside referrals if that’s the best solution for customers.

He challenged the audience, “What is our core purpose? To [help businesses] prevent or recover quickly from cyberattacks, we might not be the right solution—and that’s ok.” This philosophy is in keeping with Ostra’s commitment to making cybersecurity more cost-effective for small and medium-sized businesses.

Being open and transparent with so-called competitors can also bring surprising results. Michael shared some of Ostra’s learning experiences in this area.

“A perfect example of this is, we were being constantly compared to a couple of other companies in town.” But rather than building marketing to compete with them, Ostra took another approach. “We called them up, sat down with the leadership and technical teams, and discovered we are not even close to being competitors—and now we have strategic partnerships and can help each other out.”

Free, On-Demand Replays Available

To access a free replay of Michel Kennedy’s presentation, click here. Or see any of the other informative sessions at the 2021 Hacks & Hops Conference here.

Contact Ostra today for a free cybersecurity assessment for your business or your clients.

About Ostra Cybersecurity

As a next-generation managed security service provider (MSSP), Ostra Cybersecurity combines best-in-class tools, proprietary technology and exceptional talent to deliver Fortune 100-caliber protection for businesses of all sizes. The result is a multi-layered, 360-degree solution that allows you to set it and forget it. By making cybersecurity technology simple and accessible to business of all sizes, Ostra is helping create a world with greater data privacy and protection for all of us. For more information, visit www.ostra.net.

Ostra is a proud Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion

Ostra announces commitment to safeguarding business data during Cybersecurity Awareness Month

As a 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion, Ostra is proud to help shed more light on security vulnerabilities and do its part to secure our interconnected world.

Throughout the month of October, Ostra Cybersecurity is joining a growing global effort to promote the awareness of online safety and privacy during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year’s initiative highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity and encouraging individuals and organizations to take necessary measures to stay safe and secure in an increasingly connected world.

Ostra Cybersecurity has focused on proactively protecting businesses from data breaches ever since the ransomware attack that sparked its formation. Named after the Spanish word for oyster—whose shell protects the pearl inside—Ostra delivers a comprehensive, managed cybersecurity solution that protects a business’ most valuable asset: their data. Ostra is dedicated to improving information security practices across the industry and making Fortune 100-caliber cybersecurity accessible to businesses of ALL sizes.

With a passion for educating others about cyber threats, Ostra considers it a high priority to help spread the word as a 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion.

“Too many times, we see the devastating impact of data breaches on real people—employees, business owners, customers, donors and more,” explains Michael Kennedy, Founder of Ostra Cybersecurity. “So that’s why Ostra is ‘all in’ when it comes to highlighting the importance of data security during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”

What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021Now in its 18th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online.

The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals committed to the Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme of ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’

As a 2021 Champion, Ostra supports this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative which is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Spreading Awareness

All month long, Ostra will be sharing educational content and cybersecurity tips on our blog and social media channels. Follow Ostra on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on Cybersecurity Awareness Month initiatives, as well as everyday data security topics that impact businesses of all sizes.

Ostra will also be promoting cybersecurity awareness this October by participating in Hacks & Hops—a FREE virtual security conference hosted by FRSecure on October 14, 2021. Ostra is proud to be a sponsor and presenter for this year’s event.

Hacks & Hops brings information security professionals together to learn, network and enjoy beer. This year’s full-day, virtual conference will include 12 speakers and 8 topics—ranging from mental health, cyber insurance, MSSPs, and more. Attendees can also earn up to 5 hours of self-study CPE credits by participating.

Michael Kennedy, Founder of Ostra Cybersecurity will share “The Problem With Tech Providers and MSSPs” as the final presentation of the Hacks & Hops event. This educational session will cover:

  • Best practices to recognize and reward clients’ current cybersecurity efforts
  • Obvious challenges being ignored (by clients and providers), and what to do about it
  • Opportunities for ALL to step up, keep learning and doing better, plus some words of advice to the cybersecurity industry

Learn more and register for this free cybersecurity event at hacksandhops.com

For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021 and how to participate in a wide variety of activities, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month. You can also follow and use the official hashtag #BeCyberSmart on social media throughout the month.

2021: Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart

More than ever before, technology plays a part in almost everything we do. Connected devices have been woven into society as an integral part of how people communicate and access services essential to their well-being.

Despite these great advances in technology and the conveniences this provides, our lives and businesses can quickly be disrupted by cyber criminals and adversaries who use technology to do harm. Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to shed light on these security vulnerabilities, while offering actionable guidance surrounding behaviors anyone can take to protect themselves and their organizations.

This year, the Cybersecurity Awareness Month’s main weekly focus areas will revolve around:

  • Understanding and implementing basic cyber hygiene, including the importance of strong passphrases, using multi-factor authentication, performing software updates and backing up data.
  • Recognizing and reporting phishing attempts whether it’s through email, text messages, or chat boxes.
  • Empowering individuals to not only practice safe online behavior, but consider joining the mission of securing our online world by considering a career in cybersecurity.
  • Making cybersecurity a priority in business by making products and processes “secure by design” and considering cybersecurity when purchasing new internet-connected devices.

Simplifying Cybersecurity for Diverse Clients

Ostra’s mission is to simplify cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses. This is accomplished by tailoring multi-layered cybersecurity—powered by technology that the world’s largest companies rely on—to fit smaller businesses.

In addition to working directly with clients, Ostra fulfills its mission by partnering with trusted advisors who serve businesses across diverse industries. Through its Channel Partner Program, Ostra empowers Managed Service Providers (MSPs), consultants, incident response firms, assessment firms and others who need to deliver best-in-class security solutions for their small- and medium-sized business clients as part of a broader IT services strategy.

Check out Ostra’s blog to learn more about their relationship with Channel Partners such as CyberFin and FRSecure.

About Ostra

As a next-generation MSSP, Ostra Cybersecurity combines best-in-class tools, proprietary technology and exceptional talent to deliver Fortune 100-level protection for businesses of all sizes. The result is a multi-layered, 360° solution that allows you to set it and forget it. For more information, visit www.ostra.net.

About Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since the Presidential proclamation establishing Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit the National Cyber Security Alliance website.

About National Cyber Security Alliance

NCSA is a nonprofit alliance on a mission to create a more secure connected world. We enable powerful, public-private partnerships in our mission to educate and inspire individuals to protect themselves, their families and their organizations for the collective good. Click here for more information on the National Cyber Security Alliance.

Cyber Allies: FRSecure and Ostra are proactive partners in data security

Ostra Cybersecurity enjoys building relationships with like-minded companies who share our commitment to protecting clients. That is why it is especially rewarding for us to work with Channel Partners like FRSecure, whose focus is crystal-clear: Information Security Experts on a Mission to Fix a Broken Industry.

Launched in 2012, FRSecure is a Minnesota-based consulting and testing company in the information security space. Its award-winning technical team is best known for performing risk assessments, penetration testing, incident response forensics and technical research—as well as regularly taking down hacking challengers at industry events such as DEF CON.

Although they typically work with organizations that employ less than 500 people, FRSecure also serves much larger companies that need to fill a gap in their security expertise. In addition to assessments and testing, clients consult FRSecure for advice on cybersecurity planning, leveling up their current staff, or integrating security into their business.

One of FRSecure’s specialty areas is helping clients identify which security projects they should prioritize—and showing them how to implement those plans in a cost-effective way. With this in mind, becoming an Ostra Cybersecurity Channel Partner made sense for a number of reasons.

How does becoming an Ostra Channel Partner benefit companies like FRSecure? In short, Ostra empowers Channel Partners to better protect the businesses they serve.

Paul Dobbins, Chief Growth Officer at Ostra, explains: “FRSecure is a perfect example of what Ostra’s Channel Partner Program is specifically designed for… naturally adjacent companies in the cybersecurity ecosystem. Together we’re breaking down silos within the industry to make sure companies are protected with holistic solutions.”

Culture Cues

“First and foremost, what FRSecure looks for in a partner is culture fit,” shares John Harmon, President at FRSecure. “Are they interested in helping us fix the broken industry? Are they interested in helping us solve the same kinds of problems and serving the same kind of customers that we serve?”

The mission-driven culture at FRSecure resonates with I.S. professionals who want to make a difference in their industry—which has helped the company attract a team of bright, highly committed experts.

This mirrors the Ostra team’s passion for protecting clients from the devastating effects of cyberattacks, which are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized businesses. (A friend’s devastating experience with ransomware is one of the reasons Michael Kennedy founded Ostra—read more about the Ransomware Attack that Sparked Ostra Cybersecurity.)

Shared Values

Another important consideration in any partnership is common values—such as collaboration and truth-telling. Both Ostra and FRSecure are strong advocates for transparency.

“What we liked most about Ostra was their leadership and their willingness to let us look under the hood,” Harmon recalls, “so we could verify what they were claiming to do and who they were planning to serve.” Allowing this level of access to their proprietary solution—which Harmon says is rare in the cybersecurity industry—built trust and empowered FRSecure to refer clients to Ostra with confidence.

 Another factor that contributes to the success of this Channel Partner relationship is the willingness of both companies to tackle tough problems together. Being open to feedback and communicating clearly ensures that nothing is lost in translation.

“We’re constantly working through issues, trying to find the best solutions for our clients—and sometimes that can get uncomfortable,” admits Harmon, “But with Ostra, we can speak plainly… and we can move a lot faster to help our clients.”

FRSecure was also drawn to Ostra’s technical expertise in filling the gaps left by other cybersecurity products. The holistic Ostra solution was able to measurably solve security issues for their clients.

Vision & Leadership

How does Ostra typically add value to Channel Partners and their clients? In FRSecure’s view, Ostra’s top strength is being able to identify the client’s real issue, knowing what the gaps are, and having the skill to fill those gaps in the most responsible way.

“Ostra is not trying to shoehorn their solution into things, hoping it works,” John Harmon explains. “Ostra is very good at vetting the issues… customizing their solution to make sure it fits, and [making sure] our customers are happy when they’re through.”

 Harmon also admires the way Ostra has been able to package its very high level of cybersecurity expertise into a solution, and scale it in a way that benefits businesses of every size—including FRSecure’s clients.

 “[Ostra Founder] Mike Kennedy is a visionary,” Harmon says. “He’s somebody who saw a problem in the industry and, despite all odds and despite hulking competition, created an offering that is going to be viable in our industry… I’m so happy that we are a part of that journey.”

Facing Reality

In recent months, there have been dramatic policy changes at cyber insurance companies and at the regulatory level. As a result, both Ostra and FRSecure have seen organizations start to shift their strategies; instead of just relying on cyber insurance, companies are realizing their need to put a proper incident response plan in place.

According to Harmon, “There is now no choice but to take preventative measures and have insight into your network and your security program.”

To meet this need, FRSecure offers several compliance preparation services (such as SOC2 audit, Vendor Risk Management and more) to clients. Ostra is also uniquely positioned to help businesses learn to use insurance in a more responsible way. For example, in a June 2021 webinar presented by Ostra (The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity), panelists shared tips to protect small business owners from losing everything due to a data breach caused by malware, phishing or ransomware schemes.

No Surprises

Leaders at Ostra and FRSecure agree that when it comes to cybersecurity, nobody likes surprises. That’s why it’s crucial for organizations to account for every potential vulnerability and get a clear view of the situation before moving forward with a cybersecurity solution.

“You can’t secure what you don’t know you have,” John Harmon warns. “One of the first things that we coach our clients is to understand: What are all the assets in your network, in your data pool, even in your staff?”

Whether companies need a risk assessment, cybersecurity program planning, a cyberattack simulation or compliance preparation, FR Secure can provide a detailed analysis of their vulnerabilities as well as options for fixing the problem.

Joe Johnson, President at Ostra Cybersecurity, sheds some light on how Ostra fits in to this equation. “FRSecure helps clients understand their current reality, which is foundational to building an effective cybersecurity strategy.” He continues, “Ostra can offer a Fortune 100-caliber, layered cybersecurity solution to FRSecure clients who are looking for 24/7 threat prevention, management and remediation.”

A layered approach to cybersecurity is vital to helping companies confront the brand-new (also known as “zero-day”) exploits that sneak under the radar, in addition to the known threats that are logged by threat intelligence engines.

John Harmon summarizes: “Make sure that you are protecting yourself against everything… and not just what you can see.”

Partnering for Results

“Partnerships by definition should be a two-way street and FRSecure is a shining example,” stated Mike Barlow, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Ostra. “We are continually evaluating new channel partners including MSPs, vCISO, consulting, assessment and incident response firms. Selected Ostra Certified Partners like FRSecure are partners we trust explicitly in recommending to our clients in need of services outside of our area of expertise.”

Proactive partnerships with cyber allies like FRSecure are worth celebrating. The shared values, complimentary culture, and continuous improvement mindset of our Channel Partners ensures we are creating the best data security outcomes for clients.

About Ostra’s Channel Partner Program: For more information on the benefits of becoming an Ostra Cybersecurity Channel Partner, visit the Partner page on our website or connect with Mike Barlow, Director of Strategic Partnerships, on LinkedIn.

About FRSecure: FRSecure is a full-service information security management company that protects sensitive, confidential business information from unauthorized access, disclosure, distribution and destruction. Ostra is proud to have FRSecure as one of our official Channel Partners. To learn more about FRSecure and its award-winning technical services team (Team Ambush), visit frsecure.com

About Ostra: As a next-generation MSSP, Ostra Cybersecurity combines best-in-class tools, proprietary technology and exceptional talent to deliver Fortune 100-level protection for businesses of all sizes. Visit ostra.net to learn more about our multi-layered, 360° solution.

Hacks & Hops Virtual Security Conference

featuring Ostra’s Michael Kennedy as speaker – October 14, 2021

Hacks & Hops is an event hosted by one of Ostra’s Channel Partners, FRSecure, that brings information security professionals together to learn, network and enjoy beer.

Save the date from 9a-5p on Thursday, October 14 for this free full-day, virtual conference that includes 12 speakers and 8 topics—ranging from mental health, cyber insurance, MSSPs, and more. Michael Kennedy, Founder of Ostra Cybersecurity, will be the final speaker of the day. Attendees can earn CPE Credits* by participating in this event.  Visit https://hacksandhops.com/ to register.

Ostra is a sponsor of this free event.

*CPE Credits – Up to 5 hours of self-study – Learn More Here

Presenter information

Learn from experts in various niche areas of cybersecurity. The lineup of engaging speakers for this virtual conference includes:

  • Evan Francen, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of FRSecure & SecurityStudio: Welcome
  • Joe Scargill, Special Agent in Charge Twin Cities at Secret Service: Opening Keynote 
  • Arin Brown, Chief Technology Officer at SEACHANGE: How to Build a Security Program From the Ground Up 
  • Tony Lambert, Senior Intelligence Analyst at Red Canary and Mike Thompson, Incident Case Manager – Team Lead at FRSecure: Panel Discussion
  • Amanda Berlin, Chief Executive Officer & Owner, Mental Health Hackers: Mental Health Hackers
  • Oscar Minks, Director of Technical Services at FRSecure and Sonu Shankar, Head of MDR Product at Arctic Wolf: How to Stay Ahead of Threat Intelligence
  • Tim Smit, Cyber Security Practice Lead & Owner at Lockton: What’s Going On With Cyber Insurance and Why It’s Still Important
  • Mike Kennedy, Founder at Ostra Cybersecurity: The Problem With Tech Providers and MSSPs 

In his 40-minute presentation entitled The Problem with Technology Providers and MSSPs, Ostra Founder Michael Kennedy will share:

  • Best practices to recognize and reward clients’ current cybersecurity efforts
  • Obvious challenges being ignored (by clients and providers), and what to do about it
  • Opportunities for ALL to step up, keep learning and doing better, plus some words of advice to the cybersecurity industry
  • Additional Q&A (time permitting)

 How To Register

Registration is free. Visit https://hacksandhops.com/ to learn more or register for this all-day event (9a-5p CT) on Thursday, October 14, 2021.

About Ostra Cybersecurity

As a next-generation managed security service provider (MSSP), Ostra Cybersecurity combines best-in-class tools, proprietary technology and exceptional talent to deliver Fortune 100-caliber protection for businesses of all sizes. The result is a multi-layered, 360-degree solution that allows you to set it and forget it. By making cybersecurity technology simple and accessible to business of all sizes, Ostra is helping create a world with greater data privacy and protection for all of us. For more information, visit www.ostra.net.

Learn more about cloud data protection, email threat prevention, and how to prevent ransomware, various types of malware and more. Contact Ostra today for a free assessment to see what vulnerabilities may exist for your business or clients.

Banking on Expert Cybersecurity: CyberFin Partners with Ostra to Protect Financial & Insurance Clients

As a next-generation managed security service provider (MSSP), Ostra Cybersecurity works closely with some great companies in the technology space. In my role as Director of Strategic Partnerships, I enjoy finding ways to support and collaborate with our Channel Partners that serve on the front lines of cybersecurity for diverse client groups around the world.

CyberFin is a Minnesota-based company that provides relentless protection for closely regulated businesses such as insurance agencies, financial advisors, real estate brokers and registered investment advisors. As one of Ostra’s Channel Partners, CyberFin focuses on cybersecurity in the insurance and financial space.

In early 2021, Ostra began working with Managing Partner Chris Steffl and the team at CyberFin. In the wake of unprecedented cybersecurity challenges in the post-pandemic world, Ostra came alongside CyberFin with solutions to strengthen their business model and help them stand apart in a crowded field.

The first great thing about our partnership with CyberFin is that their mission and values are aligned with Ostra’s—being proactive and never settling for anything but the best for their clients.

In addition, both Ostra and CyberFin love to educate small businesses and mid-sized companies about cybersecurity. Chris Steffl, Managing Partner at CyberFin, shared a bit about how Ostra supports CyberFin in this area:

“We’re taking an industry that has very little knowledge or understanding about cybersecurity and we’re trying to make it simple and easy for them to understand…

One of the big things that Osta is excellent at is the deployment of their tools, and how their team works with our organization and the clients that we have. Ostra made it really easy to bring those tools in, and explain it to our clientele… financial planners or insurance agents that aren’t in the cyber industry… so that they’re able to figure out what tools they need to put in place.” – Chris Steffl, Managing Partner at CyberFin

In terms of CyberFin’s particular expertise, they are a trusted advisor in the finance and insurance space. With decades of experience, they have been in the trenches and know what their clients need. This makes CyberFin a fierce advocate for their clients—they are constantly on the lookout for any security threats or compliance issues that might arise. So getting the right tools, technology and talent behind their solution was extremely important.

“Ostra is really a next-generation level of cybersecurity,” summarized Chris Steffl. “They are able to comprehensively pull together all the different tech stacks that they’ve got, and deploy that in a very easy manner. And I think that’s one thing that set’s them apart from other cybersecurity firms is the ability to pull all these tools together to make an easy, simple deployment of the products.”

Ostra is proud to work alongside Channel Partners like Cyberfin to ensure financial and insurance businesses of all sizes—even small firms and start-ups—get the same level of best-in-class, layered cybersecurity that Fortune 100 companies rely on.

To learn more about CyberFin, visit www.cyberfin.net.

To learn more about how Ostra and our Channel Partners can deliver expert-level cybersecurity or improve your data security compliance, contact our team today.

The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity

Highlights from BrightTALK Webinar: The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity

By Ostra Cybersecurity

On July 12, Ostra presented a free BrightTALK webinar: The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity. In this informative discussion, our panel of cybersecurity experts—including Ostra Co-Founder Michael Kennedy and Chief Growth Officer Paul Dobbins—shared how real-life threat events during the pandemic have forever changed the cyber threat landscape for businesses.

The presentation also included tips and strategies for combating threats in the face of endpoint visibility and control challenges—which have become harder for businesses to manage as remote workstations, virtual meetings and cloud-based apps and file sharing has become commonplace.

Organizations of all sizes are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals—through ransomware, phishing schemes or other malware attacks—due to insecure endpoints. The panelists discussed some of the recent, high-profile cyberattacks that are still impacting the business world, and whether the latest governmental actions will be effective.

Panelists for this webinar presentation included: Michael Kennedy, Co-Founder and CTO at Ostra Cybersecurity; Oscar Minks, Director of Technical Solutions and Services at FR Secure; and Heidi J.K. Fessler, Founder and Cybersecurity/Data Privacy Attorney at Innova Law Group. The discussion was moderated by Paul Dobbins, Chief Growth Officer at Ostra Cybersecurity.

Why endpoint security matters (now, more than ever)

Over the past 12-15 months, a lot has changed in the cyber-threat landscape. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many companies to rapidly shift to a remote workforce; an unprecedented number of employees were suddenly working from home, sometimes with little technical/configuration support.

“During lockdown, we saw companies using old machines that had not been patched, or they had vulnerabilities,” shared Michael Kennedy. Although Ostra helped those clients with remediation, the more ideal scenario is to be proactive. “Make sure everything is patched and updated,” he advised. “Be ready for it. Plan this out. Have a policy.”

Amid the rising tide of virtual transactions, Ostra also heard from business leaders who wondered why they should prioritize cybersecurity when so much personal and financial information was already available online. Would it even matter?

“I think we have become numb to all these cyber events—the Target breach, the Experian breach,” stated Michael Kennedy. But he warned that complacency is dangerous, since ransomware events can have a significant impact—and most small businesses don’t recover.

Adding to Michael’s point, attorney Heidi Fessler shared an alarming statistic: “Eighty percent of SMBs that experience a data breach will lose their business. It is terminating,” she said. “Mostly because you didn’t think it could happen and you’re not ready.”

Heidi has also worked with small businesses that had a false sense of security about avoiding ransomware or malware because they worked with a managed service provider or an IT person. “IT and information security are not the same people,” she stated. “Data loss prevention is on the data security side. Just because someone is keeping your computers running, they are not [necessarily] a security person.”

Tackling zero-day exploits

The panelists also discussed the challenges of dealing with zero-day exploits.

“Zero-day is a newly discovered vulnerability with no fix for it,” explained Oscar Minks. “There can be work-arounds, but nothing is properly patched or corrected at this point.” Since the pandemic, the number of zero-day attacks has increased significantly. How can businesses better protect themselves against them?

Oscar suggested that the first step is to take inventory: businesses should know their environment, know their endpoints, know their network, and don’t let them be exposed.

“Innately, we should consider all of our applications are insecure,” Oscar shared. “Even if they are properly patched, protecting and isolating those services is important. Be proactive to protect those assets.”

Other real-world cybersecurity topics

In the remaining segments of the webinar, our panelists covered several other real-world cybersecurity topics including:

  • How should businesses hold an MSP or MSSP accountable?
  • What is ransomware-as-a-service, and how does it work?
  • Why is it important to separate IT and Information Security roles in your organization?
  • What are common misconceptions about cloud security?
  • What is the most important thing businesses can do to make endpoints more secure?
  • What role do policies, processes and insurance play in cybersecurity?
  • Do government actions work? What else can help fix a broken cybersecurity industry?

The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity is a free, 50-minute webinar. To watch the on-demand presentation in its entirety, please visit our event page on BrightTALK.

 

The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity

Watch free BrightTALK Cybersecurity webinar featuring Ostra leaders

The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity

Introducing The Ultimate Reality Check for Cybersecurity from BrightTalk. In this free webinar, four presenters—including Ostra Co-Founder Michael Kennedy as one of the panelists and Chief Growth Officer Paul Dobbins as a moderator—shared how real-life threat events during the pandemic have forever changed the cyber threat landscape.

Large-scale data hacks and ransomware events have made global headlines recently. But far from the glare of media attention, organizations of all sizes are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals due to insecure endpoints.

In this session, panelists shared real stories from the front lines of cybersecurity, as well as strategies for combating new-age threats in the face increasing endpoint visibility and control challenges.

Our panelists also discussed how recent high-profile cyberattacks are still impacting the business world, and what changes organizational leaders can anticipate from recent public hearings and governmental actions.

Timely topics

Here are just a few of the questions and topics that our panelists unpacked:

  • How is the cyber-threat landscape changing?
  • If our data is already out there, why should we care?
  • What is really happening with “new threats” and ransomware, how are they being covered in the media?
  • How has cloud computing and having a remote/hybrid workforce changed the way we think about endpoint security?
  • What are strategies for combatting malware and cyberattacks?
  • Why is it important to separate IT and Information Security roles in your organizations?
  • Is the government doing anything to protect businesses, and will it work?
  • How can companies improve compliance and risk mitigation when it comes to cloud data protection and cybersecurity?

Panelist overview

The three panelists and our moderator for this event all work in the trenches of cybersecurity and risk management on a daily basis. They help businesses mitigate risk while learning how to improve cloud data protection, and how to prevent ransomware, malware and data breaches.

Participants included:

  • Michael Kennedy, Co-Founder & CTO, Ostra Cybersecurity (panelist)
  • Paul Dobbins, Chief Growth Officer, Ostra Cybersecurity (moderator)
  • Oscar Minks, Director of Technical Solutions and Services at FR Secure (panelist)
  • Heidi J.K. Fessler, Founder and Cybersecurity/Data Privacy Attorney at Innova Law Group, PLLC (panelist)

How to Watch

To watch a FREE replay of this 50-minute webinar that was first presented on July 12, click here.

Cybersecurity – a loaded concept

Working in the technology space for many years, I have noticed that cybersecurity is a loaded concept. Similar to other words—such as history or intelligence—there can be multiple ways of describing it, depending on your angle.

The multi-faceted nature of cybersecurity is one reason why small- and medium-sized businesses sometimes find it frustrating to evaluate their options. It takes time to explore the latest software products, tools, and services. It can be difficult to make apples-to-apples comparisons when the packages and solutions in question are addressing different vulnerabilities.

For example, there are trustworthy brands and powerful technologies behind many of today’s cybersecurity solutions. But do they cover all your vulnerabilities, or just endpoints? Do you need multiple software tools for preventing ransomware, removing malware and protecting mobile devices, or is there a great all-in-one option? Are services such as updates, management, and tech support included in the cost?

As someone who has spent my career protecting data for small start-ups to Fortune 10 companies (and everything in between), I have found one thing that every business has in common: the need for a holistic, layered approach to cybersecurity.

If you are the one responsible for addressing the cybersecurity needs of your organization, it is common to become exhausted by research. It takes a lot of time and patience to stay on top of the latest software products, tools, and services on the market.

7 Cybersecurity Must-Haves

Here is an overview of seven cybersecurity essentials that every business should assess. By comparing your current state with these must-haves, you can better prioritize how to fill any gaps that might exist:

  • 24×7 Security Operations Center (SOC) – Will you have a knowledgeable team of specialists to provide round-the-clock support for cybersecurity issues that arise?
  • Security Information & Event Management (SIEM) – Does your solution incorporate the latest threat intelligence? Will it provide security orchestration, event logging, and analytics?
  • Email Threat Prevention (ETP) – How are email-based threats handled? Will you utilize machine learning and AI to identify attacks that evade policy-based defenses? Does your solution weed out credential-phishing URLs or impersonators?
  • Endpoint Security (Antivirus & Malware Protection) – How will you know when connected devices and infrastructure access points are compromised? Do you have integrated malware and antivirus (AV) defenses that analyze behavior and learn from it?
  • Firewall & VPN Security – Are your systems protected against new and malicious URLs? What happens if a “zero-day” exploit is successful in targeting a loophole in your software?
  • Cloud Security (CASB) – Is your solution built for cloud computing models such as SaaS and IaaS? How does it work with cloud-based services (i.e., Office 365, Box and AWS)? Are on-premises, mobile and remote users protected?
  • Mobile Device Management & Security (MDM) – How secure is your data across laptops, tablets, phones, IoT, & other devices? Is there seamless integration with existing architecture?

Comparing Costs & Risks

Once you review all these aspects of cybersecurity, the next step is to compare hard costs, soft costs, and risks.

For example:

  • Acquisition: How much will you invest to acquire the right products or services? (What happens if you don’t?)
  • Integration: How do you ensure that your solutions will integrate with your existing systems and software? (What happens if they don’t?)
  • Maintenance: What will you spend to maintain and update those products or services? (What happens if you fall behind schedule?)
  • Effectiveness: How will you know your solution is working or not working? (Who in your organization will manage the response or remediation for any flagged issues?)

How an MSSP Can Help

A Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) can relieve the burden of researching and selecting the right cybersecurity software tools for your business, as well as managing the solution after it is installed. Not all MSSPs are equal, so make sure you choose one that utilizes enterprise-grade, constantly updated tools and software.

It is also helpful to work with a managed security service provider that has strong and influential relationships with software and technology providers—especially when quick product support or remediation is needed.

Finally, make sure that product training/education, seamless integration, expert-level technical support, and ongoing threat management are in your MSSP’s wheelhouse.

Read more about Michael Kennedy’s background and  The Ransomware Attack that Sparked Ostra Cybersecurity

About Ostra

Ostra is a next-generation managed security services provider (MSSP) that aims to make cybersecurity technology simple, comprehensive, and accessible to businesses of all sizes. By combining best-in-class tools, proprietary technology, and human expertise, Ostra is helping create a world with greater data privacy and protection for all of us.

Start taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity by scheduling a free security assessment with our team today. 

 

Why Cybersecurity Should be on Every Business Owner’s Radar

Most people know about the large-scale data hacks and ransomware events that top the national and global headlines. Recently, for example, the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack has gotten significant coverage on every major news outlet; last winter, everyone was talking about the SolarWinds breach.  But what many people don’t realize is that, far from the glare of worldwide media attention, small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals.

Cybersecurity in the Age of Risky Business

There are a few reasons why the risk of cyberattacks are increasing for smaller businesses. First, over the past year the COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to figure out a way for an unprecedented number of employees to work remotely. This has opened up new security challenges across the board:

“Remote work has challenged enterprise security monitoring in numerous ways from the platforms used for communication to the devices people are using and networks on which they transmit data. We have seen an increase in social engineering opportunities as cyberespionage and cybercriminal groups attempt to take advantage of vulnerable employees unfamiliar with managing their technology environments.” –  2020 Cyber Threatscape Report by Accenture

Although businesses of every size are navigating these issues, cybercriminals know that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are even more vulnerable. Some SMBs don’t take the time to develop a cybersecurity strategy because they think they are too small to worry about being attacked. Others rely on consumer-grade, off-the-shelf solutions to protect their data.

The following statistics about the impact of cyberattacks on SMBs are alarming:

  • Insurance carrier Hiscox reported that in 2019, 47% of small firms (1- 50 employees) and 63% of medium sized firms (50-249 employees) experienced one or more cyberattack.
  • According to IBM, small and mid-sized businesses are hit by 62% of all cyber-attacks, or about 4,000 per day.
  • Smallbiztrends.com stated that 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses, while only 14% are able to mitigate such risks effectively.
  • The Denver Post shared a S. National Cyber Security Alliance report that 60% of small businesses victimized by a cyberattack will go out of business within six months.

In reality, if your business or clients handle customer data—whether it’s banking/credit card info, medical records, sensitive research data, tax information, customer databases, legal documents, proprietary product information, or anything else that criminals would love to access—then you are at risk and should learn how to prevent ransomware. Small businesses with many clients are the most vulnerable for ransomware attacks. Don’t be forced to pay to get your data back—instead, be proactive in order to protect it adequately.

The Problem With “Off-The-Shelf” Protection

Consumer-grade, off-the-shelf (COTS) cybersecurity products are widely available on the marketplace. At first glance they can seem appealing to small business owners. These COTS options tend to be free or low-cost; they may be conveniently bundled with other business software. They may also be pre-installed, “standard” features on new devices or laptops that you purchase from the manufacturer, or they are recommended by your managed service provider. Seems suitable for a business owner who is working with a limited technology budget, right?

But cybersecurity insiders and hackers know that COTS solutions have a lot of gaps that can actually leave companies vulnerable. They simply don’t protect businesses at the same level as top-tier cybersecurity solutions.

For example, consumer-grade tools are typically updated about once or twice a month. First, the manufacturer has to create the update and make it available. Next, the end user needs to see that the update is available, and manually update their device—or, if they are an IT director at a company, they will manually update many devices. Unfortunately, two or three weeks is too long for a business owner to be left vulnerable—when new threats are being created on a daily basis. The cybersecurity solution that was updated a month ago just can’t recognize or respond to a threat that was deployed yesterday.

This article on the U.S. Cybersecurity Infrastructure & Security Agency (CISA) website explains why COTS software is generally an attractive target for cybercriminals:

“… the major COTS packages typically manage important information and connect to more systems…  Further, the information and experience obtained in one attack can be used again on the same package elsewhere.” – Craig Miller, Cigital, Inc.

Smarter Tools, Quicker Updates

By contrast, the latest generation of cybersecurity tools are updated constantly. They utilize the latest technologies—such as real-time threat intelligence, advanced analytics, and machine learning/AI—to proactively anticipate and respond to threats. Sophisticated cybersecurity tools don’t just react to known threats, but they also prepare for unknown threats (a.k.a. “zero-day exploits”) that occur on the same day that a software weakness is identified.

Many of today’s most crippling cyberattacks are coming from new threats being created every day. The best way to guard against these unknown variables is to deploy a solution that is constantly on the lookout for these unknown variables. For example, Ostra is constantly monitoring and collecting threat intelligence info from around the globe to provide automatic updates all our clients within minutes. Ostra’s solution is customized and automated, so our clients do not have to spend time maintaining it.

Are You Ransomware Bait?

Another reason every business owner needs to make cybersecurity a priority is because of business liability issues. Laws are expanding on a daily basis in terms of the data that businesses are legally expected to protect.

Dealing with ransomware is a great example of a liability that many business owners do not prepare for—until it’s too late. Have you ever been locked out of your house or car? It’s pretty inconvenient. Now imagine getting locked out of your business because of a ransomware event. Suddenly you cannot make or receive payments, communicate with clients, or even access important files.

In addition to your company’s data, any customer information on your system is now being held hostage as well, unless you pay the criminal to get it all back. Learning how to prevent ransomware is key. (Preventing ransomware is one of the reasons our company was founded—read more about the Ransomware Attack that Sparked Ostra Cybersecurity.)

A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, paired with the best technology, can help you avoid these liabilities.

Building an Effective Cybersecurity Strategy

There are three important steps that every business can take to effectively protect against cyberattacks.

Step 1: Develop an overall cybersecurity strategy.

Business owners should never have a false sense of security by relying on technology alone to protect their data and systems. For example, Ostra’s best-in-class approach to technology combined with multiple layers of defense will go a long way in protecting your business—but technology is not the only piece of the puzzle. In addition to choosing the right technology, business owners should also develop an overall cybersecurity strategy that includes:

  • Conducting cybersecurity assessments to find gaps in vulnerability
  • Providing regular, ongoing cybersecurity training for employees
  • Putting cybersecurity policies in place to protect your organization

Step 2: Back up your data (and keep backups in a safe place).

This is a bit like fire insurance—you hope you’ll never need it. But the U.S. government recently issued an Alert urging businesses to help prevent business disruptions caused by ransomware attacks. In addition to regular data backups, make sure you isolate those backups from all of your network connections.

Step 3: Use multiple layers of high-caliber defense.

Cybersecurity is a very broad category that can cover a lot of different areas. Make sure all of those are covered (keep reading below for the top 6 things to look for in a cybersecurity solution). For example, while it is great to pay for the perfect firewall, you still have a lot of vulnerabilities if your email, mobile devices, or cloud applications are not protected.

Building a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy involves more than installing the right products or working with the right partners. Make sure that you have those other safeguards in place as well.

Top 6 things to look for in a cybersecurity/MSSP solution

Working with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) is one important piece that should fit in with your overall cybersecurity strategy, in order to help with managed detection and response to threats. Once you realize that a multi-layered approach is needed, the next step is to decide which areas are the most important to address.

I recommend covering your bases in the following areas:

  1. Have a Security Operations Center (SOC) and Security Information & Event Management (SIEM) system in place. Ideally, you want 24/7 monitoring, combined with technology that provides the latest threat intelligence and insights from the front lines. Employing SOC & SIEM gives you the added protection of on-call staff that can provide full support that includes investigating and remediating all of the alerts. . This will ensure you have the best protocols, cybersecurity experts and technologies to stay ahead of future attacks, while also providing analysis that helps you learn from past threats.
  2. Provide employees with Email Threat Prevention (ETP). Email is the number one vehicle for data breaches. Effective ETP will include advanced URL defense against credential phishing and impersonation. It should utilize machine learning, AI and analytics to identify and block both known threats and new, malicious campaigns.
  3. Pay attention to Endpoint Security, Antivirus (AV) and Malware Protection. Your solution should effectively block threats, secure your data and intellectual property, and provide a system that can isolate a device if it detects a threat so it cannot spread across your network. It should use intelligence-led, real-time detection to cover all access points—laptops, desktops, servers and more.
  4. Choose your Firewall and VPN Configuring the firewall is a complex process, so make sure it is done well, and by a professional. An effective Firewall and VPN will automatically detect and prevent “zero-day” (brand new) exploits and various types of malware, as well as known threats. You’ll also want a solution that offers automated, intelligent policy recommendations and machine learning-powered visibility across your IoT and other connected devices.
  5. Select the right Cloud Security (CASB) for cloud-based apps, software and services. Successfully protecting information (with automatic blocking, quarantining or encrypting data) helps companies maintain legal compliance in the cloud without impacting productivity and cost. Your CASB solution should allow you to govern cloud and web use for all users whether they are on-premises, mobile or remote.
  6. Don’t forget about Mobile. With more employees staying connected to work email and networks via smartphones, mobile security has never been more important. Make sure you have a mobile security (MDM) solution that can seamlessly integrate with your existing architecture to protect apps, documents, content and data on any device (using any operating system) from a single platform.

Why is Third-Party Validation Important?

When business owners are assessing cybersecurity solutions, it’s also important to look for third-party validation. This is the process of getting an independent, third-party source to test your product or solution and make sure it does what is claimed.

For example, in this article about the importance of third-party validation for cyber solutions, one industry expert noted:

“…without in-depth testing no-one really knows whether or not an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agent can do what it is intended.”- Simon Edwards, founder and director at SE Labs:

Choose to work with a partner whose goal is to safeguard your company, and not just to sell a particular program or technology solution. There are many great products and organizations in the cybersecurity space, so make sure the one you select has a vested interest in protecting your business and your clients.

Ostra’s approach to cybersecurity

Ostra’s expert team understands how cybersecurity works at large corporations, so we know how to leverage top-tier tools and technologies to create the best sphere of protection possible. Our dedicated experts are constantly monitoring and assessing the best tools available on the market. This allows us to create a solution using the same resources Fortune 100 companies use, but we’ve made it simple, accessible and affordable for small and medium businesses.

In the process of building Ostra’s Cybersecurity solution, we have also been fortunate to work closely with some outstanding tech companies—some of the biggest and best in the world—who are continually evolving with the constantly changing cybersecurity landscape. Combining these best-in-class tools across every category of cybersecurity enables us to protect our clients with a holistic solution.

Ostra is continuously evaluating the marketplace to see who can fit that space, to make sure that our solution is up-to-date with the latest and best features to protect your business. Our highest priority is delivering a high quality, simple-to-use, efficient cybersecurity solution that allows our clients to “set it and forget it.”

 

Learn more about how to prevent ransomware, types of malware and more. Contact our team today for a free assessment to see what vulnerabilities may exist for your business or clients.

cybersecurity transformation cityscape

How to Accelerate Cybersecurity Transformation for Small Business

The acceleration of technology and cybersecurity transformation has left many organizations unprepared. The migration of entire work teams from traditional offices to virtual teaming is daunting when there’s time to plan, catastrophic when pushed upon companies in response to COVID-19. Considering cybersecurity measures has never been so challenging, and so very important to preventing ransomware, protecting from malware, and establishing protocols for cloud data protection.

No business has faced a harsher reality than small and mid-sized businesses. Companies who cannot afford a CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) are left to read between the lines of numerous promotions and promises from various software and consulting companies promoting their individual solutions.

Gartner says COVID-19 is still top challenge for most organizations

Though a shortage of technical, security and IT personnel is problematic, and the rapid migration to cloud computing is challenging, Gartner states that “responding to COVID-19 remains the biggest challenge for most security organizations in 2020.” Beyond 2020, companies are still reeling from the digitization acceleration they were unprepared to tackle – and smaller companies need to find solutions that work like the big guys but are manageable for the little guys. In the Gartner Top 9 Security and Risk Trends for 2020, threat detection and response capability improvements took the #1 trend spot. It is not enough to respond after a threat has been made or a hack has begun, technology needs to detect, prevent and protect businesses from a cyber-attack.

Additionally, Gartner trends data privacy in the #5 spot. Privacy is no longer just a compliance, legal or auditing issue according to Gartner, it is an “influential, defined discipline of its own affecting almost all aspects of an organization.” Protection of data and privacy integrated in an overall cybersecurity transformation plan is essential for small business. So, who is providing Fortune 500 solutions in ways that are attainable to smaller sized businesses?

Gartner says now is the time to accelerate cybersecurity transformation

According to Gartner’s article, Why Now is the Time to Accelerate Digital, “organizations have to change, now. There is no option to continue on as they have. It has to be done to preserve the business and the future of the business.” Cybersecurity is a key part of the digital transformation that smaller companies must adopt and prioritize for their health and well-being.

Gartner suggests organizations apply digital business acceleration in these five dimensions:

  • The “everything customer,” who requires both deep personalization and ironclad privacy
  • Right-scoped growth, which may involve new customer segments and the abandonment of incumbent value propositions
  • A composable technology foundation that balances efficiency with resilience
  • An adaptable workforce, equipped with the skills, processes, information and autonomy to flex in the face of disruption
  • Any-scale operations that can spin up and down with demand and unforeseen circumstances

Ostra stands ready to help small business with digital transformation

“With cyber-attacks and security breaches on the rise, the need for better cybersecurity solutions and real system protection is no longer something to think about for the future,” said Michael Kennedy, Founder of Ostra Cybersecurity. Kennedy and his executive team, Joe Johnson and Paul Dobbins, have made it their mission to combine the best Fortune 500 technology into an easy-to-use suite of services manageable for smaller companies.

Seeing the opportunity to help smaller companies, Ostra went even further in its mission and designed a go-to-market strategy that marries them with the best technology companies already providing products and services to the small and mid-sized business market – Ostra’s channel partners.

“Our goal is to enable small to medium-sized business to have the cybersecurity protection we see larger organizations spend millions on each year,” said Kennedy. “Even better, to put our combined cybersecurity solution in the hands of the most reputable companies serving small businesses with IT solutions means that Ostra Cybersecurity’s positive impact for small business owners multiplies. We are taking down the barriers that stop small businesses from protecting their data, their systems, their employees, and their customers.”

An Ostra Cybersecurity solution can scale with a business, protect customer privacy, enable an adaptable workforce and be part of the technology foundation that sets a company up for long-term success.

Ostra Cybersecurity – Solving Problems Before They Happen

With Ostra Cybersecurity comes a team of experts in the field of relationship management, IT integrations and decades of combined cyber security expertise. We operate behind the scenes to protect businesses by managing Detection and Response before threats get in. This saves our clients time and tens of thousands of dollars dealing with costly problems associated with simply reacting to threats and data breaches after they occur.

Ostra makes it manageable for small companies to have access to Fortune 100 services and to understand how to prevent ransomware from infiltrating their systems. Ostra provides cloud data protection to avoid the various types of malware. Waiting until an attack happens is not a sound strategy, and we have made it our mission to provide data protection services to companies of all sizes.

By making cybersecurity technology simple, comprehensive, and accessible to business of all sizes, Ostra is helping create a world with greater data privacy and protection for all of us.

Ready to chart your path to cybersecurity transformation? Start by scheduling a free security audit with our team today.

 

READ: The Ransomware Attack that Sparked Ostra Cybersecurity

WATCH: Michael Kennedy: Ostra Cybersecurity’s Origin Story [Video]

types of malware

11 Types Of Malware + How To Detect & Remove Them

Taking care of your business’s data and sensitive information means staying vigilant against cybersecurity threats at all times. This is made more difficult each year, as new types of viruses, technologies, and methodologies for cybercriminals are created. For example, since its inception in the 70s, many variants of malware viruses have been created, amplifying the danger of cybersecurity threats for small and medium-sized businesses.

To help defend your organization against malware, we’ve crafted this guide of 11 of the most common types of malware and how to effectively get rid of them.

11 Types of Malware: How They Get in Your System, What They Do, & How to Get Rid of Them

types of malware

1. Ransomware

How it Gets in Your System: Phishing emails that contain malicious downloads or attachments are often the source of ransomware.

What it Does: Blocks access to a computer system or computer files until a sum of money is paid.

How to Get Rid of it: Unfortunately, paying the ransom is the easiest way to remove this malicious software. This makes prevention all the more important.

2. Spyware

How it Gets in Your System: This type of malware gets in through drive-by-downloads or another inadvertent action by an internal employee—such as clicking on a link in a phishing email.

What it Does: Steals internet usage data and sensitive information (credit card and bank account information, PII)

How to Get Rid of it: A spyware removal tool can be used, depending on the severity of the infection. More drastic actions may need to be taken if the virus is robust.

3. Adware

How it Gets in Your System: Enters via malicious apps or pops-ups that take advantage of browser vulnerabilities.

What it Does: Bombards your devices with unwanted advertisements on your computer, attempting to get you to download malicious software.

How to Get Rid of it: In some instances, you can simply uninstall the adware. With more serious adware issues, you’ll need to use anti-adware software to get rid of it.

4. Malvertising

How it Gets in Your System: An employee clicking on malicious ads that appear legitimate will cause malvertising to be downloaded onto the system.

What it Does: Attempts to inject malicious code that installs malware or adware on the user’s computer.

How to Get Rid of it: Delete any files that were downloaded, use a virus scanner, and eliminate. In some instances, you’ll need to work with a cybersecurity team to totally rid the computer of the virus.

5. Trojan Malware

How it Gets in Your System: A trojan virus will typically enter a system through a piece of malware attached to an email. The file, program, or application appears to come from a trusted source.

What it Does: Damage, disrupt, steal, or in general inflict harmful action on your data and network.

How to Get Rid of it: Installing an antivirus program that will search, isolate, and remove the virus is one of the best ways to get rid of a trojan virus.

6. Fileless Malware

How it Gets in Your System: Phishing emails are a common culprit for fileless malware. Unlike many other viruses, fileless malware doesn’t touch the hard drive but instead embeds itself into the memory.

What it Does: Gains access to your secure data and exploits it.

How to Get Rid of it: Fileless malware can be particularly difficult to purge from your system. Preventative measures are a must for this type of malware.

7. Worm Malware

How it Gets in Your System: Traditionally gains access to a system through a phishing email. It can also be inadvertently downloaded online.

What it Does: As a self-replicating virus, worm malware can quickly spread and wreak havoc on a company by gaining access to their valuable and private data.

How to Get Rid of it: Using a dedicated removal tool will assist in eradicating a worm virus in your system. If the virus has spread too fast, you may need to bring in some outside help.

8. Mobile Malware

How it Gets in Your System: Mobile malware is exactly what it sounds like—malware that gains access through a mobile device. This can be done by drive-by-downloads, trojan viruses, mobile phishing, and browser exploits.

What it Does: Gains access to private information and data.

How to Get Rid of it: Restoring your phone from an earlier back-up can potentially rid your mobile device of the malware.

9. Rootkit Malware

How it Gets in Your System: Often derive from unintentional downloads online. They are designed to remain hidden on your computer.

What it Does: Remotely control your computer to gain access to your system and data.

How to Get Rid of it: Because rootkit malware is difficult to detect and get rid of, this is another type of malware where prevention is key.

10. Keylogger Malware

How it Gets in Your System: Phishing emails and trojan viruses are two of the more prevalent ways in which keylogger malware infects a computer.

What it Does: A keylogger is a type of spyware that can be used to track and log the keys you strike on your keyboard, capturing any information typed—including PINs, credit card numbers, usernames, passwords, and more.

How to Get Rid of it: Anti-rootkit software is oftentimes your best bet when dealing with keylogger malware.

11. Bot Malware

How it Gets in Your System: Malicious pop-up ads or the downloading of dangerous software from a website are often the starting points of bot malware.

What it Does: Bot malware is a self-propagating malware capable of infecting its host and connecting it back to its central servers. Obtaining financial information, exploring back doors open by worms, content scraping, email address harvesting, and more can all be done by bot malware.

How to Get Rid of it: A robust antivirus software will need to be deployed to get rid of bot malware.

The Best Offense is a Good Defense

In order to best protect your business from malware, prevention methods must be integrated into your system. Ostra has Malware protection built into our integrated technology so threats are blocked before they get in.

Ostra’s multi-layered solutions make keeping your data safe simple, as it prevents viruses from compromising your system in the first place. Instead of piecing together a cybersecurity solution from multiple providers, you can choose Ostra and cover your emails, endpoints, mobile devices and your entire network with one centralized solution.

Ostra works around the clock to protect and secure your data. After all, cybercriminals don’t take days off—your cybersecurity solution shouldn’t either.

Reach out to Ostra to get started on combating malware and other cyber threats today.

data security

Data Security: Looking Ahead at 2021 Cybersecurity Strategies

The importance of data security has taken on new life in recent years. While initially an area of interest for industries like healthcare and financial services, our digital era has made data security something that all companies—regardless of what field they operate in—must integrate into their business plan. The cost of failing to do so can be detrimental to a company’s customers, bottom line, and reputation.

But, what does the future have in store for data security—in particular, what will it look like this year, in 2021? Before we get to that, it’s important to first look back at 2020 and the lasting impact it will forever have on cybersecurity going forward.

How the Coronavirus Pandemic Forever Changed Cybersecuritydata security

One of the most significant challenges of cybersecurity is accounting for all the endpoints and devices throughout your company. Securing all of your endpoints was made even more difficult as offices transitioned to remote work where employees connected from personal networks and devices.

As a result of remote working, cybersecurity threats and incidents skyrocketed. The FBI reported that cybercrime increased 400% during the initial months of the pandemic. Over the course of the year, ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and crypto-jacking all skyrocketed, growing by 252%. Simply put, maintaining a secure, robust cybersecurity approach is tough when employees are scattered throughout the country.

But, once the vaccine has been distributed to enough Americans, we can go back to working in our offices again, right? Well, not exactly. First, even when we reach herd immunity—which experts estimate to be somewhere around 50-80% of the population—it’ll still be quite some time before everyone is allowed back to their offices.

In addition, over 80% of business leaders plan on allowing partial work from the home structure after COVID, according to Gartner. While there have been many claims during COVID that suggested this or that as “the new normal,” remote working IS the new normal. Businesses have learned that their employees can still be productive while working remotely and that it is necessary to allow remote working conditions for employees that have families and live busy lives.

This all goes without mentioning the tools that cybercriminals now have at their disposal, which makes them difficult to thwart. Cyberthreats are getting more complex, as evidenced by the recent FireEye and Solarwinds breaches that tie back to Russia. Thanks in large part to the quick actions on FireEye’s part, the threat was able to be mitigated—proving that having systems in place to catch and contain breaches is essential. But, the point remains—these cybercriminals are getting smarter and, to some degree, more daring.

Protecting Your Business in 2021: Cybersecurity Strategies to Adopt That Will Keep Your Company Secure

data security

Move to the Cloud

One of the smartest moves you can make in 2021 to improve your company’s data security is adopting a cloud-based cybersecurity solution. In fact, we’re likely to see a huge burst in cloud adoption in 2021. A recent study by Next Pathway Inc. found that 65% of companies are making cloud migration a top priority in 2021.

With its many benefits and its overall convenience, the push for cloud adoption was inevitable. This includes the ability to grow with your organization, as well as allow your employees to access the data they need, regardless of where they are. A cloud-based cybersecurity solution also allows you to centralize your security.

Businesses that were already using cloud-based security were able to better protect their data in 2020. To ensure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your data secure, consider looking into cloud solutions in 2021.

Integrate a Proven Mobile Cybersecurity Solution

Mobile threats also accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as cybercriminals saw them as another way to gain access to a company’s sensitive data. Employees have their emails linked to their smartphones, which provides another avenue for data thieves to gain access. In addition, smartphone owners also download apps onto their phones. If they aren’t careful, they may accidentally download a malicious app that can compromise one of your business’s network endpoints.

For these reasons, finding a cybersecurity solution that incorporates mobile security into its services is of the utmost importance. Because tablets are often used for business functions, they need to be protected as well.

To ensure that your employee’s mobile devices are secure, invest in a proven mobile cybersecurity solution this year.

Work With a Quality SaaS Provider 

The benefits of working with a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider cannot be overstated. Perhaps most importantly, SaaS providers offer a way for companies that have fallen behind on their cybersecurity to get themselves up-to-speed fast.

Teaming up with a third-party cybersecurity team allows you to be proactive with your data security without sacrificing internal hours. You can focus on growing your company while your cybersecurity partner keeps your data safe. Working with a SaaS provider enables you to be more flexible internally with how you allocate your time and resources. Instead of building out an internal cybersecurity team, which can take months, if not years, in 2021, we’ll see more companies opting to work with a reputable, high-quality SaaS team.

Ostra’s Enterprise-Grade, Cost-Effective Solution is Perfect For SMBs

It’s clear that 2020 forced companies to take a long hard look at their security measures, with the above strategies being just some of the many moves we’ll see this year.

This pivot to a more robust cybersecurity plan is especially true for small and medium-sized businesses that didn’t have the resources to make the switch to remote working as seamlessly as large companies. If you want to avoid becoming a headline in 2021 for a cybersecurity breach, then you need to ensure that your data is protected from all angles and devices, it’s essential to integrate a robust, comprehensive cybersecurity plan into your system.

At Ostra, our mission is to provide best-in-class data protection for businesses, which means effectively stopping known and unknown internet threats from getting at your protected data. Our services cover mobile devices, endpoints, firewalls, email security, and cloud solutions.

We believe that everyone is entitled to quality, professional-grade cybersecurity. That’s why we offer cost-effective, enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions for SMBs.

To get started on integrating proactive data security solutions,  reach out to Ostra today.

cybersecurity-101

Cybersecurity 101: The Basics Of Keeping Your Business Secure (2021 Guide)

Cybersecurity can be an obscure and broad term covering everything from sophisticated digital systems to simple Norton anti-virus software. It’s important to know the nature of cyber threats and how you can protect your business against them.

Experts predict that cybercrime in 2021 will cost companies around the globe $6 trillion. By 2025, that number is expected to increase to $10.5 trillion. We have to treat cybersecurity protection as an essential part of business operations.

In this guide, we’ll be breaking down cybersecurity concepts and why it matters in 2021. With an increase in remote working and a rise in cyberattacks, protecting your sensitive data is more important than ever. Understanding the basics of cybersecurity is essential to protecting your business and keeping your data safe.

Regardless of industry – manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, etc.— sensitive data is at the core of business operations. This data can include credit card information, passwords, financial records, patient information, and more. Data breaches can cause a loss in profits, and even more severe, an irreparable break in consumers’ trust.  While it is critically important to protect other people’s data, a business also needs to protect its own and ensure it can maintain operations (and reputation) and properly defend against a ransomware attack.

According to this Forbes article, in today’s digital age, every company is a data company, and with this data comes the responsibility of ensuring its safety. It’s our duty as business managers to protect our business operations, our data. 

The Importance of Cybersecurity in 2021

This year COVID -19 has forced businesses to adapt their digital security measures as they navigate working remotely. Even after a vaccine becomes readily available, working from home is likely to continue indefinitely

Businesses and employees have adjusted to remaining productive and carry out business-as-usual while working from home. But, remote workers connecting from personal devices and open networks open the door for an increase in cyberattacks. 

The FBI recently reported that the number of complaints about cyberattacks to their Cyber Division went up to as many as 4,000 per day. This represents an astonishingly 400% increase from the complaints they saw pre-COVID. 

Today, the question for many business owners is, how to adapt to remote working and still protect their business, clients, and data. 

Cybercriminal Methods: What to Be on the Lookout For

In the mid-2000s, 80% of cybercriminals worked independently or were freelancers. They made up an unsophisticated and less skilled group of cyberattacks. As more data is exchanged online and technology has evolved, cybercriminals have gotten more sophisticated. Today, 80% of cybercrimes are part of an underground cybercrime organization and weave complicated and novel cyberattacks.

 

A pyramid outlining the levels of a cybercrime organization.

The methodology of cybercriminals has evolved over time. Initially, viruses had to be transferred through computer discs. Today, viruses can spread through the internet like wildfire. 

Here are some of the key cybersecurity terms and ways in which cybercriminals will attempt to gain access to your company’s data: 

Social Engineering and Phishing

Social engineering and phishing involve an attempt at getting personal information under the guise of a trusted source. For example, receiving an email from an email address that looks like your local bank’s email address saying they need you to confirm your account by providing personal information. The email address may also look like the company’s email, and the sender (cybercriminal) may request login credentials. 

When an employee’s information is compromised, the hacker may try to bypass security perimeters, distribute malware inside a closed environment, or gain access to secured data.

How to Keep Phishing Threats at Bay: 

  • Implement two-factor authentication
  • Enforce strict password requirements
  • Educate employees about the dangers of phishing

Malware

Malware—or malicious software—is one of the most popular types of cybercrime. Able to exist in many different formats, it is a versatile method. It can take the form of a trojan virus, worms, or spyware and can be difficult to get rid of. 

For an example of malware in action, let’s look at the trojan virus. An employee sees an ad online for an ad blocker. They download the blocker, which turns out to be a virus posing as helpful software. Once the virus has been downloaded, the hacker is free to wreak havoc by accessing sensitive data and then modifying, blocking, or deleting the data. 

How to Stop Malware Attacks in Their Tracks: 

  • Secure your network through security solutions like firewalls
  • Work with an experienced cybersecurity provider 
  • Install anti-virus software

Ransomware

Ransomware—a type of malware—is malicious software that locks up all the operating systems of a computer and displays a message demanding a fee to regain control of your system. Ransomware can be especially difficult to deal with, as you don’t want to pay the ransom. However, you also don’t want to have your system locked for too long, as this can endanger productivity for your business.

Ransomware can come in different forms, with phishing emails being one of the more popular vehicles. Say an employee opens up one of these emails and clicks on a link asking them to reset their password. Once they click the link, the ransomware downloads itself onto the computer and locks the user out. A pop-up message appears on the screen saying that they need to pay a ransom if they want to regain access. The company pays the ransom, and then they must go through their system and fix any issues and assess the damage. At this point, income has been lost due to these delays and any compromised data. In addition, the company loses credibility with its clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders. 

How to Avoid Ransomware Attacks: 

  • Make sure all your software is up to date with patches
  • Use reliable antivirus software and a firewall
  • Backup all your files in the event an attack does occur

What Parts of Your Business to Protect

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Here are some key areas of your business to ensure you are protected and how cybersecurity service providers like Ostra can help keep your data safe. 

Keep Emails Safe

Email is one of the key mediums that cybercriminals use to commit their crimes. Ensure all your employees use a secure email service and don’t send work emails from their personal accounts. In addition, educate your employees about the importance of being vigilant while using their emails.

Ensure Mobile Devices Are Secure

Eighty-five percent of people use their smartphones to access their emails. That means it’s likely many of your employees do the same. Working with a qualified, experienced cybersecurity team is the best way to prevent mobile devices from being compromised, as they can leverage the latest mobile security solutions to keep your data safe. 

Identify and Secure All Endpoints

Map out your network endpoints and use cybersecurity solutions to protect them. As we mentioned earlier, there are a multitude of avenues that cybercriminals can attempt to gain access into your system. Endpoints that businesses need to keep secure include desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, servers, workstations, internet-of-things devices, etc. 

Utilize Cloud Security Solutions

Cloud security is a solution that every business should consider. In addition to being scalable, housing all your data in the cloud can be more secure than storing it on-premise. When looking for a cloud service provider, validate that they are investing heavily in security.  By partnering with a cloud security provider like Ostra, you can ensure that as your business moves to the cloud your data is secure.

How Ostra Can Help Keep Your Data Secure and Safe

Are you feeling overwhelmed about the prospects of keeping all your data safe? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. 

Ostra offers a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that can be customized to fit your needs. 

Our 360° Protection covers: 

  • Email Threat Protection
  • Elite endpoint
  • Malware and Ransomware
  • Mobile Device
  • Cloud Application Security Broker
  • Firewall
  • SIEM
  • Security Operations Center (SOC)

While our solutions are thorough, the ease-of-use on your end is impressive. Ostra will seamlessly integrate with your business, and it dynamically updates so there is no need for you to monitor it. Ostra’s solutions will be hard at work in the background of your system, 24/7. 

We’ve made enterprise-grade cybersecurity accessible for all businesses—small or large. By merging our proprietary technology and our strategic partnerships with top cybersecurity solutions out there, we’ve created a unique, cost-effective cybersecurity solution available to businesses of all sizes for the first time.

To get started on incorporating Ostra into your cybersecurity plan, reach out to us today!

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Small Business Cybersecurity Tips

Many small businesses are currently struggling because of the pandemic. The last thing any small business needs now is a cyberattack, which could easily put a company out of business. So now more than ever there is a need for strong cybersecurity practices, especially in smaller businesses with less cybersecurity devoted resources.

60 percent of companies that are victims of a cyber-attack go out of business within six months. -NCSA

The average loss of a cyberattack in 2019 was around $200,000, which is a lot of money for a small business to pay. This helps to understand why so many companies struggle to succeed after a cyberattack.

These are some helpful tips to help improve cybersecurity in small business

Train your staff

Employee training is the first and one of the most important steps in maintaining quality cybersecurity. Your employees are the main entry point that hackers try to exploit. Hackers try to gain access through employees by tricking them with phishing and social engineering attacks. They also target employees who are working from home on unsecured personal internet networks. Business owners should train their employees to back up data regularly, avoid any suspicious links, and to report any possible phishing scams. Trained employees will reduce the risk of an attack and should be wary of any future attack.

A 2019 Accenture study found that 43 percent of cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses but only 14 percent are prepared to defend themselves. This is alarming news especially since small businesses are a top-tier target for most cybercriminals. Shows just how many small businesses lack preparedness and how many need to quickly improve their security.

Find a cybersecurity solution

Perhaps one of the best ways to defend your business against cyber threats is to find and install a solid cybersecurity solution. Small businesses usually are short on cybersecurity resources, to begin with, and usually do not have dedicated IT/Cybersecurity experts. Which is why small businesses need a low-cost solution that is extremely effective.

Your business technology should be protected with anti-virus and anti-malware software, this will find and identify any threats to your business. These have security features that will make it harder for any information to be stolen. Every business should have a virtual private network (VPN) that hides your IP address, making it almost impossible for hackers to track you. VPNs are very useful and a necessity if you have employees working from home on unsecured networks. Email protection and maintaining a firewall are also highly recommended in the cybersecurity community.

Ostra offers an affordable and quality cybersecurity solution for your business, that incorporates the very best security tools to protect small/medium-sized businesses. We operate behind the scenes to protect businesses and their most valuable asset, their data.

We leverage known platforms such as FireEye and Palo Alto, to create a sphere of protection for your business and employees, no matter where they are located or what machine they are on.

Want to find out more? Contact us today!