Notes from the Field: CIS Control 13 – Network Monitoring and Defense

by Greg Halpin / December 15, 2023

“How would you know if your network or systems have been compromised?” That’s the question I often ask clients when discussing their networking monitoring and defense tools. An IT manager of a small company I worked with recently was honest and said he wasn’t sure. He was so busy putting out different fires every day, he didn’t know where to begin. The IT team consisted of four people, and he…

The Purpose of Policies and Procedures

by Shannon Lane / December 7, 2023

It finally happened.  One of your employees clicked on a phishy link and your company is experiencing a data breach.  They knew something wasn't right once they clicked it, but they didn't know where to turn.  They couldn't remember who to notify or what their next steps should be.  So they waited and hoped no one would notice.  Maybe it wouldn't be that big of a deal.  That only made…

Turning Audit Into Enablement

by Hannah Grace Holladay / December 4, 2023

Audits are hard, but when done well, they are always beneficial.    We understand if you don’t believe us.  We know that audits are overwhelming and complicated.  They can feel like daunting tasks that will only create fines or more work for your organization.  But that doesn’t have to be the case.  There are many benefits of an audit, and even more when you have a partner to help you.   If…

Secure Data Disposal and Destruction: 6 Methods to Follow

by Tori Thurmond / November 29, 2023

Regardless of sector or scale, businesses today heavily depend on data to steer their operations. Whether collecting, using, buying, transferring, or storing data, all businesses share a common dilemma: what to do with data once it's no longer necessary. With the number of data breaches increasing exponentially over the last decade, following best practices for secure data destruction is essential. If your organization doesn't have an equipment and data disposal…

Data Classification: Why It’s Important and How To Do It

by Tori Thurmond / January 8, 2024

What Is Data Classification? Data classification systematically categorizes information based on sensitivity and importance to determine its level of confidentiality. This process helps apply appropriate security and compliance measures to ensure each category receives proper protection. As a result, sensitive information is safeguarded while less critical data is allowed appropriate flexibility. Why is Classifying Data Necessary? Knowing how to classify data is critical given today’s advancing cyber threats. With over…