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eNewsletter

 

What Windows Server 2012 End of Life Means for Your Business

As we approach October 10, 2023, the end of support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 draws near. This milestone marks the cessation of security updates, bug fixes, technical support and online technical content updates for these operating systems. For organizations actively using these servers, the implications are significant. Strategic planning is essential to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.

Here are 4 business implications of using Windows Server 2012…

#1: Compliance Concerns. Maintaining compliance with industry regulations, such as PCI, HIPAA and others, may require all applications and infrastructure to remain supported by the vendor. Running unsupported technology post-end of life could instantly render your organization non-compliant leading to increased exposure to security attacks and potentially higher cyber insurance premiums.

#2: Costly Downtime. With the end of support, organizations lose the safety net of vendor-provided support in the event of issues or security threats. The absence of reliable updates can leave organizations vulnerable to prolonged disruptions and delays which would impact productivity and operational efficiency.

#3: Target for Cyber Criminals. Outdated technology presents an attractive target for malicious actors. By delaying the server upgrade, you are increasing the risk of falling victim to targeted attacks. A data breach can lead to potential revenue loss, damage to reputation and possible fines.

#4: Missed Opportunities for Innovation. Sticking to older server versions means missing out on the latest enhancements and features offered by newer versions. By keeping the organization up-to-date, it allows for improved service delivery and a better user experience.

What Should You Do Next?

Before October 10th, organizations need to strategize their next steps for migrating away from Server 2012. 

Assess Your Needs

Organizations must identify their specific needs to formulate a viable migration plan. There are two primary options - replacing the server or going to the cloud.

Upgrading
For organizations with complex on-premises environments, upgrading to a newer version of Windows Server might be the preferred option. This approach allows for better control over the infrastructure and provides the opportunity to take advantage of new features while ensuring compliance.

The Cloud
Migrating to the cloud offers numerous advantages, including scalability, cost optimization and reduced hardware management burden. By leveraging cloud services, businesses can modernize their infrastructure, benefit from robust security measures and stay current with the latest updates automatically.

Keep in mind budgetary limitations, available skills and the complexity of the migration process.

Develop a Plan

Creating a well-thought-out strategic plan is crucial to managing the migration effectively. Organizations must determine what needs to be migrated or upgraded and how each decision impacts the overall environment.

Enlist an Expert

Engaging a third-party professional service provider to conduct an assessment of the existing environment can provide valuable insights. The assessment will highlight vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for a successful migration.

End of life for Windows Server 2012 presents significant challenges for businesses still currently using it. To navigate this transition successfully, you must act promptly, create a strategic plan and seek assistance from an industry expert. By taking proactive steps now, you will safeguard your operations from costly downtime and cyber attacks.

At MVP Network Consulting, we understand the criticality of Windows Server 2012 end of life for your business. As a trusted partner in IT infrastructure and cloud solutions, we offer a free risk assessment to help you identify vulnerabilities and devise a migration plan tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today to secure your organization's future and make a seamless transition into the modern IT landscape.

RemoteWork

Top 10 Cybersecurity Risks of Remote Work

Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent times. It provides flexibility and convince for employees. But there are some drawbacks to working outside the office. It's crucial to be aware of the cybersecurity risks that come with remote and hybrid work. Here are the top cybersecurity tips on how employees and employers can address them.

  1. Weak Passwords and Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication: Employer should set up access management systems to automate the authentication process.
  2. Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks: to Protect company data, remote teams should use a Virtual Private Network(VPN).
  3. Phishing Attacks: To defend against phishing attacks, be cautious when opening emails. Especially those from unknown sources. Avoid clicking on suspicious links. Verify the sender's email address.
  4. Insecure Home Network Devices: Many remote workers use smart devices that introduce vulnerabilities to their network. Ensure you change the default device passwords and keep them updated with the latest firmware.
  5. Lack of Security Updates: To mitigate this risk, enable automatic updates on devices and software whenever possible. Regularly check for updates.
  6. Data Backup and recovery: Keep all company files backed up automatically to a central cloud location
  7. Insufficient employee Training: remote workers should receive proper cybersecurity training. It helps them to understand security risks and best practices. Unfortunately, many companies neglect this aspect of cybersecurity. Organizations should provide comprehensive and ongoing cybersecurity training to remote workers.
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Catch of the Month

This alert comes directly from one of our vigilant MVP staff members who encountered this threat firsthand, underscoring the importance of staying vigilant.

The Scam Unveiled:

Text messages have become a common avenue for scammers to exploit, and this month's catch revolves around a cunning attempt impersonating the reputable USPS service. Many unsuspecting individuals have fallen victim to this scam, but thanks to the keen eye of our staff, we can all learn to detect and thwart such deceitful schemes.

Spotting the Red Flags:

  • Unusual Wording: USPS seldom sends unsolicited text messages, especially regarding mail delivery. If the language seems odd or urgent, exercise caution.
  • Dubious Origin: Scrutinize the message's source. If it originates from a foreign number or lacks a legitimate US area code, it's a clear sign of foul play.
  • Suspicious URL: Take a close look at any links provided. In this case, the scam's URL was entirely unrelated to USPS – a giveaway that should not be ignored.

Defensive Measures:

Upon confirming that a message is indeed a scam, here's what you should do:

  1. No Response: Do not engage with the scammer. Avoid replying to the message or clicking on any links.
  2. Prompt Deletion: Swiftly delete the message from your device to prevent further interaction.
  3. Blocking the Number: Prevent any future communication by blocking the sender's number.

Remember, staying informed is your best defense against cyber threats. By sharing experiences like these, we hope to empower our community with the knowledge needed to safeguard against scams. Let's continue to look out for one another and stay cyber-aware.

MVPTeamSmall

Employee Spotlight

Elizabeth Lamparelli
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Elizabeth has been with MVP for a year and a half as a warehouse operations associate.  She lives in Tonawanda with husband and two amazing kids Charlotte 

and Jack.  In her spare time Liz cherishes spending time with her spirited 5-year-old and adorable 10-month-old.  Her children share in her passion for the great outdoors and classic rock music.  For Elizabeth, being a mom is an incredible journey, one she wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. She is a hard worker and is always willing to help across the board. Our Team is lucky to have her. 

MVP In The Community

July, August & September
Wings Flights of Hope
Ride for Roswell to End Cancer
P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative

Grounded in our strong community values and commitment to giving back, we actively supported causes close to our heart during Q3, including contributions to Ride for Roswell, Wings Flights of Hope, and P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative.

Wings Flights of Hope's mission is to help people in need of free air transportation to and from their assigned facilities for medical and humanitarian purposes. Learn more about this organization here.

Ride for Roswell to End Cancer is a summer fundraising event that fundraises for cancer patients and accelerating cutting-edge research and clinical trials at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center for years to come. Learn more about this event here.

P.U.N.T. Pediatric Center Collaborative is a pivotal initiative focused on addressing the comprehensive needs of pediatric patients and their families in Western New York. Learn more about this organization here.

MVP Partner Spotlight

Mental Health America of Dutchess County
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Mental Health America of Dutchess County is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental illness, and improving the care and 

treatment of persons with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. We offer programs for people of all ages seeking mental health and addiction recovery services in Dutchess County, NY. 

In the nine months we have worked with MVP, they have effectively helped us manage our IT services with an organized, secure, and user-friendly system that has been responsive to our staff's needs 24/7. With their assistance, we have been able to evaluate our previous business process and implement a more streamlined approach to everyday activities. 

The transition to MVP was smooth and we’re proud to say we haven’t experienced any downtime through this onboarding process with MVP. The around-the-clock and proactive support they provide allows our staff to work day and night to strengthen families, link individuals to the supports they need, provide safe spaces to heal, break down stigma...and much, much more. 

 Thank you to Julia Huggins for her professionalism while helping us identify, design, and implement projects such as securing our network, helping to harden our Microsoft 365 environment to further secure our sensitive company data, and maintaining HIPAA compliance. On top of that Julia and MVP’s team helped find solutions to long-standing problems we faced integrating services on our network and cleaning up our environment. We are grateful for the uptime, security, and proactive support that is available with MVP Network Solutions. 

To find out more about Mental Health America of Dutchess County and the ways we support our community please visit: www.mhadutchess.org. 

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Past Events

MVP Event Social Media Cover Liability Recording

How to Transform Employees into Security Champions

In this video, you'll learn:

  • The common mistakes employees make
  • How to identify the gaps in your organization's processes and governance policies
  • How to create a security-focused organizational culture

MVP Event Social Media Cover Insurance Recording

Mastering Cyber Insurance: Securing Your Business

In this video, you'll learn how to:

  • Identify your unique cyber risks to proactively mitigate potential threats
  • Establish a robust cybersecurity framework using a layered approach
  • Navigate the claims process and ensure a smooth and successful payout