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Solving Cybersecurity on-demand webinar

On-demand webinarWe get it. As executives and IT professionals, you are busy. To that end, we are debuting a new series of short on-demand webinars intended to answer the most commonplace requests we receive. These webinars are designed to connect your firm’s real-world problems with the solutions that address them. They are short and available on your timetable—no signing up for a scheduled webinar and then missing it because you get pulled into a meeting!

The first video is for financial services firms needing guidance on strengthening cybersecurity readiness and compliance response.

Better understand how to effectively respond to the moving target of the twin challenges of cybersecurity and compliance with our free on-demand webinar.

This short compliance and cybersecurity webinar focuses on the following topics:

  • IT Pillars of compliance
  • Cybersecurity priorities for SEC compliance
  • Tips on how to improve cyber readiness and meet compliance
  • And more!

→ Sign up here to watch the webinar.

On-demand webinar

Harness the power of cloud management.

Harness the power of cloud management.Businesses have moved beyond cloud migration and onto cloud strategy. Most organizations have at least a portion of their data or applications on the cloud. Additionally, enterprises are opting for a multicloud or hybrid approach by combining several clouds or cloud types.

In looking at strategy, organizations are eager to take advantage of all the benefits the cloud offers, like scalability, availability, redundancy, and reduced costs. What companies may not understand is that the wrong cloud configuration could actually cost money and reduce efficiency.

Outsourcing cloud management to an experienced IT partner can ensure that you maximize the benefits of the cloud.

Here are five reasons to outsource your cloud management:

1. Expertise

  • There is no one size fits all approach to the cloud.
  • An experienced IT partner works with you to implement a customized cloud solution that supports your business goals while maintaining security and compliance.
  • Taking a multicloud or hybrid cloud approach requires an expert who is familiar with unified cloud management.
  • Smaller IT teams may not have enough experience or the right tools to deliver the right cloud solution.
  • Improper configuration of the cloud can reduce productivity, availability, and security, along with spikes in usage costs.
  • Experienced Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer expertise throughout the cloud journey, including strategic planning, data migration, and maintenance.
  • A customized cloud solution with a knowledgeable IT partner will provide a consistent experience with predictable costs.

2. Free Up In-House IT

  • Small in-house IT teams can become bogged down by daily helpdesk tasks, which prevent them from focusing on cloud optimization and security.
  • MSPs typically have access to more robust tools and can dedicate a team of engineers to your organization’s infrastructure.
  • With an MSP managing your cloud solutions, your in-house IT team can focus on other projects that directly support the business.

3. Increased Security

  • As organizations continue to make remote work a part of the new normal, cloud vulnerabilities have caught cybercriminals’ attention.
  • To maintain security and compliance, you need the right access controls, regular vulnerability management, and active monitoring.
  • Even if your company has comprehensive cybersecurity tools like a security information and event management (SIEM) platform, many in-house IT teams lack the necessary expertise to use these tools to their full potential.
  • MSPs often use more sophisticated tools allowing them to achieve greater visibility into your infrastructure.
  • Some MSPs like Coretelligent, have in-house security analysts who have specialized skills in areas like forensic analysis.
  • Security analysts can see the correlations between security incidents, which mitigates risks and decreases the response time to incidents.

4. Better Performance

  • If you are experiencing poor performance from the cloud, it could be because of how it was designed or deployed.
  • MSPs can provide better cloud performance because they have more experience architecting and managing cloud infrastructures.
  • MSPs also tend to have larger teams, so they can dedicate engineers to monitoring your cloud infrastructure around the clock, allowing them to fix problems in real-time.

5. Reduced Costs

  • The cloud allows businesses to move costs from capital expenditures to operational expenditures.
  • When implemented appropriately, the cloud can reduce overall IT costs allowing organizations to focus on strategy instead of hardware.
  • Public clouds often have a pay-as-you-go model causing some companies to experience unexpected spikes in billing.
  • MSPs are often able to provide predictable billing with cloud services, making budgeting easier.

Find an Experienced IT Partner

To maximize the benefits of the cloud, you need an experienced IT partner. Coretelligent has years of experience building and supporting customized cloud infrastructure. We have a cloud agnostic approach ensuring your cloud solutions are built around your business goals.

Our IT planning services will ensure that you are optimized, secure, and compliant. With our CoreArmor, cybersecurity solution, our U.S. based in-house support team monitors your infrastructure 24x7x365.

Are you looking to outsource your cloud management? Contact us to learn how Coretelligent can help you harness the power of the cloud.

Read our blog: Your Cloud Solution Must Include a Strong BDR Strategy, to learn how to create IT resilience in a cloud-based world.

The hybrid work model is the new normal.

Think About It

The hybrid work model is the new normal for many sectors, and now is the time to stop treating it like a temporary solution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we are in the middle of a revolution as many companies are re-imagining their workplace strategy. A less centralized approach allows for social distancing and offers the flexibility and work-life balance that employees crave while realizing cost savings, improved efficiencies, increased workforce opportunities, and more.

The hybrid work model is the new normal.What is the Hybrid Workplace?

Early in the coronavirus pandemic, many workplaces abruptly shifted to remote work. There was a clear distinction between working in the office versus working from home—and it happened almost overnight. The timeline for transitioning back into the office has not been clear-cut and will probably never be fully realized. As the pandemic lingers, many companies and employees see the benefit in shifting to a model where employees commute to the office, but they may also work from home. Who works where and when varies by company, but the one constant is that a company’s entire workforce is not usually all onsite simultaneously. In short, there has been a shift from traditional offices with rows of workstations to a more flexible model that gives more freedom to the worker.

Who Benefits from Hybrid Work?

If there is one thing we’ve collectively learned from the last 18 months, it’s that we are more adaptable than we realized. Faced with a challenge, we all stepped up and, in the process, discovered that a more flexible workplace model makes sense—with or without a pandemic. In fact, 83% of workers prefer a hybrid work model, according to a 2021 survey from Accenture. Workers have more control over where, when, and how they work, which can help promote wellbeing, increase productivity, and reduce turnover.

And looking at productivity for those with concerns, a 2021 McKinsey survey shows that 58% of business leaders saw productivity improve with a shift to hybrid, while 37% say there was no change from a traditional model.  Additionally, a hybrid model that also allows for fully remote workers makes remote talent acquisition a possibility. This aspect means your firm may be able to add the best candidate to your team, not just the best candidate in your geographical location.

While the hybrid model is here to stay—and most of us prefer it—it’s not without its challenges, particularly regarding technology.

5 Technology Elements to Consider

Here are five areas around which your organization may be experiencing growing pains while transitioning to a permanent hybrid model.  I share the challenges and corresponding solutions for each topic for decision-makers to consider.

  1. Collaboration

Collaboration is going to look different moving forward. Your technology will need to support a fluid mix of in-person and digital teamwork, provide access to resources for onsite and remote workers, and create meeting spaces that allow employees to seamlessly work together no matter their location.

Challenge: Replace in-person meetings and team collaboration.

Solution: Zoom, MS Teams, and similar solutions to create a connected experience.

Challenge: Remote Access to file and application resources.

Solution:  Virtual workspaces, VPN, and SaaS file tools such as Egnyte, OneDrive, or Box

Challenge: Reduction and simplification of communications.

Solution: Zoom, MS Teams, and other similar collaboration tools have allowed organizations to converge legacy telephone with voice, video, chat, and digital meetings and whiteboards into a streamlined and unified experience for employees.

  1. Cybersecurity

A shift to hybrid means that security professionals will simultaneously need to protect all fronts. In a hybrid setting, cybersecurity is more of a challenge than securing all onsite or all remote workstations.

Challenge: Increased network vulnerability from devices shifting from onsite to at-home or even unsecured public networks.

Solution: Zero-Trust Access/Networking, combined with VPN, Virtual Desktops, and SaaS applications to help control data and access.

Challenge: Heightened vulnerability to phishing emails as workforce because decentralized.

Solution: SaaS-based training tools such as KnowBe4 to keep employees trained and tested on company policies and how to recognize threats while not in the office

Challenge: Need for active monitoring 24/7 as employees work offsite at all hours of the day.

Solution: Next-gen SaaS-based security solutions to provide continuous monitoring and alerting.

Challenge: Device management

Solution: Cloud-centric management tools such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager (formerly Intune), JAMF, Addigy, and other MDM tools to enable zero-touch deployment and remote configuration management for corporate devices.

  1. Design of Office Spaces and Technology

As the work model changes for employees, so does the office layout. Workspaces will need to become more flexible to accommodate workers who shift between the office and home. Technology and operations will need to align to provide more hybrid meeting and shared spaces and less traditional cubicles and dedicated space. Decentralizing headquarters might be ideal for some businesses.

Challenge: Office plan with a workstation setup that provides flexibility for when, where, and how office workers want to work.

Solution: Hot desking setup and scheduling with standard hardware configurations allow employees to leverage laptops to work at their preferred location and time.

Challenge: Increase meeting spaces for hybrid work meetings to allow for both in-person and digital collaboration.

Solution: Upgrading meeting rooms to leverage Zoom, Teams, and similar digital tools for full digital meeting support.

Challenge: Consider whether satellite offices work as opposed to one larger location.

Solution: Reducing commute time for employees to optimize productivity and working time with colleagues.

  1. Productivity

Standard operating procures for productivity and how managers evaluate efficiency and output will need to be updated for the hybrid environment.

Challenge: Managers may need technology solutions to gauge productivity.

Solution: Data analytics or management tools to help track and monitor employee engagement and productivity.

Challenge: Workflows and Automation

Solution: Leverage automation capabilities within products and platforms to help reduce manual tasks and improve workflows to drive employee efficiency and promote an increase in productivity.

  1. IT Support and Operations

One challenge for IT managers with the hybrid workplace is technical support. Your organization will need to address workers’ need for IT support both at work and home and at all hours of the day. Not an impossible task, but the 9-5 M-F support model won’t be practical for businesses going all-in on the hybrid work approach.

Challenge: A hybrid workforce working where and when they want is a challenge for technical support.

Solution: Robust device management and remote access tools for IT teams or a trusted MSP partner to provide effective around-the-clock support to both onsite and remote employees.

Challenge: Equipment management

Solution: Leverage remote management and monitoring solutions (RMM, MDM) to keep real-time inventory and audit of equipment for tracking and management.

Meeting the Challenges of the Future with Coretelligent

As we navigate the hybrid-work future, you can count on the IT professionals at Coretelligent to help your organization solve any IT challenges you may be facing to your key business processes with a wide range of IT solutions. If you have questions about designing hybrid work solutions for your company, reach out by calling 855-841-5888 or email  info@coretelligent.com to schedule your complimentary initial consultation.

Chris Messer, Chief Technology Officer at Coretelligent, HeadshotAbout Chris

As Chief Technology Officer, Chris Messer is a transformational and strategic IT leader who establishes and leads Coretelligent’s technical vision and technological development.

Click here to learn more about Chris.

How Can Executives Manage Cyber Threats by Building a Culture of Cyber Readiness

cyber threatsReducing your organization’s risk from cyber threats requires a holistic approach. Cybersecurity should be integrated across all divisions and at all levels. Cybercriminals do not recognize your internal organization or care about job titles but seek to exploit any weaknesses they discover.

Cyber threats threaten your ability to operate, your reputation, your bottom line, and even the survival of your organization.

The foundation of effectively managing cyber risks requires building a culture of cyber readiness amongst your employees. Most cyber incidents begin with a human action—phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, malicious software, malware attacks, and other persistent threats usually start with an employee unknowingly initiating them by clicking on a malicious link or trigging malicious code by opening an attachment.

How to Effectively Protect Your Organization from Cyber Threats?

How can you, as a leader, promote a culture of cybersecurity readiness to reduce your risk from these types of threats? Here’s a high-level, holistic roadmap for considering how best to incorporate security throughout your firm to defend your organizational assets.

→ Executives – Drive cybersecurity strategy, investment, and culture

As a leader, it is essential that you understand the basics to help integrate cybersecurity as a significant component of your operational resilience.  And that resiliency requires an investment of both time and money. This investment will fuel actions and activities that build and sustain a culture of cyber preparedness that will protect key infrastructure and intellectual property.

→ Employees – Develop security awareness and vigilance

Employees are a critical line of defense. Gone are the days when security threats were the sole responsibility of the IT team. Securing an organization in this current cyber threat landscape requires education, awareness, and participation from all. Therefore, any investments in cybersecurity must include strong end-user training.


Related Resource → 7 Cybersecurity Tips for Practicing Good Cyber Hygiene


→ Systems – Protect critical assets and applications

Data is the foundation of any business; it is the most valuable asset. Know where your data resides, know what applications and networks store it, and know who has access to what data. Build security into the critical infrastructure of your organization’s data to protect against outside attacks.

→ The Digital Workplace – Ensure only those who belong have access

Implement authority and access controls to manage employees, managers, and customers’ access to your digital environment and protect against unauthorized access. Setting approved access privileges requires knowing who operates on your systems and with what level of authorization and accountability.

→ Data – Make backups and avoid the loss of information critical to operations

Even well-protected systems can be breached if someone makes a mistake. Therefore, make protecting data a priority by implementing a thorough a robust backup program. Additionally, develop a plan that will allow you to quickly recover systems, networks, and data if a breach occurs.


Related Resource → Think About IT: The Case for Cloud Backup


→ Incident Response – Limit damage and quicken restoration of normal operations

The strategy for responding to and recovering from a cyber incident involves developing an incident response plan and regularly evaluating that plan and preparing for its use for business continuity during a crisis.

3 Strategic Actions to Tackle First

  • 1. Backup Data

    Employ granular, fast, and efficient backups and data recovery processes to regain digital operations quickly.

  • 2. Multi-Factor Authentication

    Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for access to enterprise assets to add an additional layer of protection across your organization.

  • 3. Patch & Update Management

    Create and enforce a regular patching schedule for systems, networks, protocols, and applications.

Defend Against Cyber Threats with Coretelligent

Balancing business initiatives with security and technology can seem challenging, but Coretelligent can help. We provide white-glove, fully managed, and co-managed IT services to highly regulated industries like financial services and life sciences. In addition, our comprehensive security and backup and disaster recovery solutions work for you around the clock so you can have peace of mind. To learn how Coretelligent can help your business, contact us at 855-841-5888 or via email at info@coretelligent.com.

Expanded Managed IT Services in Miami and West Palm Beach

As a leading IT service provider for the financial services and life sciences industry, Coretelligent is pleased to announce the expansion of our field offices in South Florida. With this expansion, we are better positioned to offer our white-glove Managed IT Services in Miami and West Palm Beach to accommodate the growth of the life sciences and financial sectors in this region. Coretelligent brings a wide range of high-quality managed IT services and collocation, including virtual CTO, cybersecurity, compliance expertise, service desk, disaster recovery, next-generation cloud services, and more to South Florida.

Expanded Managed IT Services in Miami and West Palm Beach

Dependable, Secure IT Infrastructure

With over 15-years of experience as a managed service provider, Coretelligent is committed to building scalable and dependable IT infrastructure for our clients. Our team of experts can assist with managing and maintaining your technology systems while safeguarding them from cyber threats. We also offer a full range of data backup solutions that are cost-effective and comprehensive in handling disaster recovery and business continuity needs.

Stand Out IT Support

Having a solid IT infrastructure is not just an advantage in today’s world—it is a requirement, and combined with our white-glove approach, it can help give your firm the edge it needs to succeed. Coretelligent’s deep industry experience and our unrivaled commitment to quality service are what sets us apart from other providers.

Our Approach

At Coretelligent, we understand that one size does not fit all. To that end, we work with clients to tailor the best technology service and custom solutions to fit their needs. We are also experienced with and have the capacity to help your business quickly, efficiently, and securely scale.

We provide onsite services, consulting, managed and co-managed services, and start-up and relocation services. As a trusted partner, we offer a range of pricing options to accommodate your business operations and technology investment.

About Coretelligent

Coretelligent is an industry-leading services provider that offers comprehensive technology solutions, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions for financial and life sciences firms. We are a team of world-class professionals providing advanced solutions to help organizations thrive in the digital economy. We’re honored that we are one of America’s most award-winning IT service providers.

Founded in 2006, Coretelligent has offices in Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and California, and offers expanded support in select locations. In addition to the life science and financial services sectors, we have extensive experience working with a range of industries, including law firms, real estate, and professional services.

With the experience we bring to every IT project, our proprietary technology and a full suite of security services ensure superior business performance, data protection, and security. If you’re looking for Managed IT Services in Miami or West Palm Beach, and want to learn more about how Coretelligent can improve your organization’s technology, reach out today.

Dallas Managed IT Services

Coretelligent, a leading IT services provider for the financial industry, announces the expansion of our field offices to provide Dallas Managed IT Services. This extension allows Coretelligent to accommodate the accelerated growth of financial firms in the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area and offer a wide variety of high-quality solutions, including virtual CIO, Help Desk, cybersecurity & compliance, disaster recovery solutions, cloud solutions, our White-glove approach to business, and more to clients in the region.

Dallas Managed IT Services

Reliable, Secure IT Infrastructure

Reliable and secure IT infrastructure is a necessity for financial firms of all sizes–large, small, and mid-market enterprises– in today’s landscape. Dependable infrastructure can provide a competitive advantage by delivering reliable uptime and offering the protection needed to manage the threat from cyber-crime. As an experienced solutions provider, Coretelligent can keep your company safe from cyber threats with our advanced network monitoring & management, security firewall protection, and other security measures. With a team of experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated financial and technology experts, Coretelligent can assure that you will have the support you need to support your business processes and reach your goals.

Managed IT Services

Having a solid IT infrastructure is not just an advantage in the financial industry—it is a requirement–and our service levels can help give your firm that edge. Coretelligent understands the specialized technology needs for hedge funds and alternative investments from SEC-regulated archiving and backups to specialized trading applications. In addition, we provide IT strategic expertise, managed and co-managed support, proactive maintenance, cloud migration, and start-up and relocation support. From cost-effective fixed price-per-seat agreements to full-time placements, we can suit any sized client’s budget and operational costs with a range of pricing options.

About Coretelligent

Coretelligent are industry leaders providing comprehensive solutions for financial firms of managed IT support services, cybersecurity, and cloud-based solutions. Our team of world-class professionals provides top-tier organizations with a wide range of services needed to thrive in today’s digital economy. We’re proud to be one of the most awarded IT service providers in the nation.

With a proven track record of providing complete business IT solutions 24/7/365 days a year, our innovative proprietary technology solutions and a full suite of security services ensure exceptional business performance, data protection, and security for our clients’ most sensitive information assets across a variety of industries.

Founded in 2006, the company has offices in Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and California, with expanded support locations in Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington, DC, and West Palm Beach.

Learn more about our about how to create a partnership for technology success with Coretelligent in the larger Dallas–Fort Worth, TX service area.