Today I read a great article in INC Magazine about hackers who use text messages to send out viruses.  I can’t believe that technology has come to a point where viruses can be transmitted through text messaging!  From a techie perspective, its interesting.  From a business owner perspective, it’s quite frightening.  So what is a small business left to do?  The author Minda Zetlin offers 8 tips on protecting yourself.  Since a lot of iPhones and Blackberries are hooked up to an Exchange Server, the possibilities are endless for a smart virus, worm, or Trojan.  From a very simple tech vantage point, make sure your business is up to date with anti-virus software.  A small to medium size business can go 3 or 4 months without realizing that the anti-virus software has expired.  Talk to your employees about what they are downloading on their PC’s and phones.  Some programs are just not good to put on business computers and phones.  Your IT guy should be able to give you some pointers here.  After all, the average IT guy is removing some type of virus at the very least once or twice a day.  The last obvious precaution that should be running through your head is a firewall.  Every network no matter how small, should have some type of firewall.  The software updates on the firewall can lapse and there you go, one more way for a hacker with too much free time to compromise your whole network.  For more tips on how to protect you and your business from hackers all over the world, click or paste this link into your browser: http://technology.inc.com/telecom/articles/201003/cellphone.html

Matt Duntsch - VP of Sales - LiveConsulting.COM 303.217.3000 direct

I spend a lot of time talking with small businesses about their IT “needs” and “wants” and the most common theme is the idea of control.   The word control sounds negative in this sense but when applied to a small business owner, this is not necessary a bad thing.  I don’t blame the owner of a CPA firm for wanting to control what all of his employees are looking at on their computers daily.  Sure, there are things that are not appropriate on the internet for the workplace, but also it comes down to a security issue.  Certain websites and down loadable software are not good for the system or network.  So it is obvious, a server allows for more control over your employees and computers and not having a server gives you less options.  Lets clarify a few things….when I say server, I am talking about the physical hardware of owning a server.  Not virtual hosting…that will be a topic for another post.  And when I say no server, I am talking about computers that are NOT connected to each other or a printer throughout the network.  In this situation if computer A catches a virus or downloads some type of horrible malware, it affects computer A only and not the other computers, because they are not connected!  So maybe that is a check mark in the positive category for passing on buying a server.  Because of the lack of technology viruses can be quarantined…even though that was most likely not your first intent.

On the server side of things…viruses can be quarantined or shut down by the use of anti-virus software loaded on the server.  Even though all computers and printers on a network are connected, the anti-virus is the defense that protects each computer individually and constantly monitors threats.  My first thought is to discuss firewalls at this point but we can leave that for another day….I could open up a couple cans of worms but that is not necessary at this point.  So lets look below and build a case for buying a server for your business and for passing on the available technology.

Server Pros:

• Connectivity of desktops/laptops/printers on a network to each other
• Anti-Virus software can be loaded on the server protecting every device connected to the network
• Can be hosted in your office or at a data center if space is limited where server room is not available
• Owner of the server has full control personally or with the help of an IT support staff
• Network can be monitored 24/7.  Problems can be found and fixed after business hours.
• Business software can be loaded on to the server instead of having to load each PC individually.  Time saver!!!  Especially if you are paying IT staff to do it for you.
• Remote access possibilities (connecting to the network to access important files from home or while traveling).
• Just like PC’s and printers, servers are seen as capital in valuing your company.
• Websites and email can be hosted on your own server, easier to add/delete users and make edits to your website.  If you need to add a database, you don’t get nickled and dimed by the hosting company.
• Backup capabilities are endless, ie. onsite backup (tape drives), off-site backup (daily, weekly,etc)
• The average small business server can handle many different types of software
• Connecting directly to your own server speeds up the time it takes for programs to load

Server cons:

• Upfront cost of purchasing the hardware, labor to install
• Knowledgeable IT staff required to configure and manage the network
• Important information is stored in one location, backup necessary in case server fails.
• Big ticket item for a small to medium size business.  Is it really necessary?

You can see how control would be a big issue in deciding whether or not to buy a server.  There is more control when you are the owner of your own server.  But like anything, there is price that comes with it.  No company is exactly the same.  We manage networks for companies with 3 employees, but when you dive a little deeper, you find out that they have a ton of important information they are working with and need a server to back it up daily, and a fast way to access it.  They are a perfect candidate for owning their own server.  I know they only have 3 employees, but in their case, it’s a good fit.   The most important questions to ask are, “What am I trying to do with my business?”, and “Would a managed server solution free me up to do more of what I do best?” If you can honestly answer those questions….you are on the right track.

If you would like some good reading about cyber security for small businesses, follow this link to Inc. Magazine: http://www.inc.com/news/articles/2009/11/cybersecurity.html

Cheers.

Matt Duntsch - VP of Sales - LiveConsulting