Cyber Essentials and IASME Governance

Cyber Security Services for Comprehensive Protection: What You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, cyber security is not something businesses can afford to overlook. Simply purchasing a suite of cyber security products and services and assuming you’re protected indefinitely is not a realistic or effective strategy. Threats are constantly evolving, and your security measures need to keep pace.

To truly safeguard your business, you need an ongoing, proactive approach that involves:

  • Thoroughly assessing your vulnerabilities
  • Staying up-to-date on the current threat landscape
  • Implementing well-rounded, adaptable cyber protection

Let’s dive into each of these stages to understand what’s involved and how you can ensure your business has the cyber security it needs at all times.

Identifying Your Cyber Security Vulnerabilities

The first step is taking a close look at where your weaknesses lie. A good place to start is examining the most common entry points for cyber attacks. Did you know that 88% of data breaches stem from human error? That means for many businesses, their biggest vulnerability is actually their own employees.

Ask yourself:

  • Do my staff have sufficient training to spot and prevent threats like phishing emails? (90% of ransomware attacks begin this way)
  • Are strong password practices enforced? (Weak passwords like “12345” are easily guessed)
  • Is everyone aware of the risks of using unsecured public Wi-Fi, especially for remote work?
  • Are all software and systems kept updated? (Outdated versions often have known vulnerabilities)

Use the results of your initial assessment to strengthen weaknesses, but don’t stop there. As your business and the threat landscape change, you’ll need to continually re-evaluate your cyber security posture and adapt accordingly. Consider scheduling vulnerability assessments at regular intervals.

The Importance of Regular Security Audits

Even if you have a high-quality cyber security system in place, it’s not something you can just set up and forget about as new threats and weaknesses appear all the time. What protected you well last year might not be enough today.

This is where regular security audits can help. A good audit is basically a thorough check-up for your cyber defences. It’s an opportunity to bring in outside experts to test your security setup and identify any areas that might be starting to show weaknesses.

During an audit, IT professionals will take a deep look at things like:

  • How well your team is following security best practices
  • Whether all your software and systems are updated and protected against the latest threats
  • If you’re making good use of tools like firewalls, antivirus software, and multi-factor authentication
  • How effectively your network is divided up to prevent a breach from spreading too far
  • Whether you’re properly encrypting and backing up your important data
  • How fast and effective your plan is for responding to any incidents

They’ll thoroughly test your defences, searching for any vulnerable points that a skilled hacker could potentially take advantage of. After the audit, you’ll receive a detailed report on the state of your cyber security, including specific suggestions on how to improve your protection. 

At Twister Solutions we can take care of all the details of the audit process, from planning to execution to providing you with a clear explanation of where you need to strengthen your defenses.

Keeping Tabs on the Cyber Security Landscape

To stay ahead of emerging attack vectors, make a habit of following the latest cyber security news and trends. If you have a background in tech, data, or security, tap into your professional network and go-to industry publications to stay informed.

For those without a cyber security background, partnering with a team of security consultants like Twister Solutions is often the most effective approach. We spend every day assessing the latest threats and helping businesses counter them, so we can provide timely, in-depth, and actionable security solutions to strengthen your defences.

Building a Multi-Layered Defense Plan

Once you understand your weak spots and the biggest threats out there, it’s time to put together your cyber security plan. 

At a bare minimum, a strong cybersecurity strategy should include:

  • Regular security awareness training to help employees spot and report potential threats
  • Smart email filters to catch suspicious messages before they reach inboxes
  • Firewalls to watch and control who’s accessing your network
  • Tools to quickly detect and contain any breaches that might slip through
  • Encryption to protect sensitive information
  • Strict rules around who can access what, and extra login steps 
  • Constant monitoring to hunt for signs of trouble

Trying to pull together all these different pieces on your own can be a lot, especially if you’re starting from zero. That’s where a managed security service provider (MSSP) can be a lifesaver.

Don’t wait until an attack happens to prioritise cyber security. Put the right pieces in place now, commit to evolving your defences as the landscape changes, and you’ll have peace of mind that your business and clients are well protected.

For more information on what makes an effective, well-rounded cybersecurity plan or to request a free security review, book online or call 01375 800607.

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Our new introducing feature continues

As promised, we are continuing on with our new introducing section so you can find out a little bit more about the people behind Twister Solutions, with us IT is personal.

Next up is our business development manager John Stedman. John looks after all our sales and marketing for the business having joined in December last year with extensive MSP experience and a web background.

‘’When I first spoke to Fraser about the opportunity he was full of enthusiasm and I could see it meant a lot straight away, quite simply it was to good to turn down, starting a fresh in a company that has run for 20 years with no sales or marketing department is in itself so unique and I could see the foundations for growth were already in place. The business offers a 30 day rolling contract and when you call up the techs are the ones who answer the phone, that for me makes for such an easy sale, to have one of those things is unusual but I don’t know of any other IT company locally that offers both. I prefer the smaller more personal service that Twister can offer to their customers as well as the ability to cover all things IT, I already feel very settled and am looking forwards to growing the business into the future’’

Out of work John is very much a family man, Dad and pug Dad living locally and enjoys everything from cooking to chess, being the bridge between technical and non technical John does dabble in xbox but takes great delight in knowing nothing about rock simulator or rock simulator 2. If you want some plain English tech advice then give John a call, 01375 800607 option 3.

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National Apprenticeship Week

As you may have heard this week is National Apprenticeship Week, so we thought it would be the perfect time to kick off our new introducing section with our Apprentice Jordan who has been with us for nearly 2 years having come straight from education wanting to work in tech.

Jordan has a very down to Earth approach to IT and takes pride in helping our customers in their moments of need. 

Out of work Jordan likes gaming and is a big fan of Rock Simulator and Rock Simulator 2, he’s also a major player in the world of Star Wars and Lego. Jordan loves biscuits and could not be held to picking a most-liked, his top 3 are chocolate hob nob, Oreo and chocolate digestive (in no particular order).

Over the next few weeks we will continue our introducing section so you can find out a little bit more about the people behind Twister Solutions, with us IT is personal.

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Cabling Solutions

When you choose cabling services from Twister Solutions in Essex we can help your business get started in the most secure and efficient way.

Here’s Frankie and Aaron working on an ultra secure warehouse project, with over 30 years experience between them you can relax knowing you’re in experienced hands.

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Is 2024 the year you finally get round to upgrading your IT equipment?

Is 2024 the year you finally get round to upgrading your IT equipment? Here’s just a few reasons why you should not delay:

Improved security: Newer equipment and software have better protection against hacking and cyber attacks, which can compromise your data and privacy.

Increased efficiency: Newer equipment and software are faster and more reliable, which can boost your productivity and performance.

Reduced costs: Newer equipment and software may be more energy-efficient, durable, or compatible, which can lower your maintenance, repair, or replacement costs in the long run.

Better compatibility: Newer equipment and software are more compatible with each other and with the latest technology, which can reduce errors and issues.

Competitive edge: Newer equipment and software may give you an advantage over your competitors, as you can offer faster, better, or more innovative services or products to your customers.

managed IT

5 Fantastic Benefits Of Full-Service IT Support For Businesses

In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, it’s essential for businesses to stay ahead of the curve. This is where full-service IT support comes in. It drives success, providing a comprehensive solution to boost efficiency, cut costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

Full-Service IT Support: A Quick Breakdown

Before we dive into the many benefits of full-service IT support, let’s first get to grips with what it actually involves. Full-service IT support offers a wide range of services designed to give businesses a one-stop IT solution. It combines cybersecurity, data management, cloud services, IT consulting, network management and disaster recovery, to name a few. This means you won’t need to source each of these services independently.

1. Boosting Productivity

Think about it: if your business has a team of experts taking care of all your IT needs, there’s less to worry about. Your staff can focus on what they do best: conjuring up inventive, customer-focused solutions. This positive shift means:

  • Technical issues can be sorted swiftly without getting in the way of your everyday tasks.
  • Time-consuming tasks can be automated, giving your staff more bandwidth to concentrate on innovative projects.
  • You have 24/7 support ensuring your IT service management is reliable and non-disruptive.

2. All-Round Security

Today’s businesses face a constant barrage of cyber threats. Securing sensitive data is a top priority, and that’s where full-service IT support shines:

  • It provides robust anti-malware and antivirus systems to protect your data.
  • Firewalls and intrusion detection systems are integrated to thwart cyber attacks at every turn.
  • Training sessions help your employees recognise phishing scams and ransomware attacks before they can cause harm.

3. Saves You Money

Traditional ‘Break/Fix’ models can be pricier which gives you regular monthly costs and removes the risk of an out-of-nowhere repair bill that makes your eyes water. With full-service IT support, you have infrastructure that fits your budget, unwanted disruptions are reduced, and you spend less on recruiting and training dedicated IT staff.

4. 24/7 Support

Downtime caused by hardware issues, software bugs, or cyber-threats can cause a serious headache. Full-service IT support ensures your infrastructure works without a hitch, keeping your IT systems updated and running smoothly. An on-call team of experts sorts out issues straightaway, and regular preventative maintenance stops serious technical issues from popping up down the line.

5. Helps Your Business Stay Focused

When a team of full-service IT professionals takes the strain off your IT demands, you can concentrate on your business goals without all the noise. With managed IT support, you can tap into a wealth of expertise and market insights for your strategic IT planning. They guide you through the complex landscape of IT investments, so you make informed, profitable decisions, and offer IT solutions that align with your business goals.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, full-service IT Support isn’t just an optional extra for your business, but a driving force that promotes growth, mitigates risks, and boosts profits. It allows businesses to focus on their core functions with full peace of mind, knowing that the tricky bits of IT systems management are in the safe hands of experienced professionals. This kind of peace of mind allows your business to focus on what really matters: achieving impressive growth and efficiency in today’s fast-moving market.

At Twister Solutions, we specialise in delivering full-service IT services in Essex and surrounding regions. Our support services include proactive monitoring and maintenance, data security, help desk assistance, strategic IT planning and more. When you partner with Twister Solutions for robust, tailored IT support coverage, your business gains the technical foundation and expertise needed to drive success in today’s digital world. Contact us to learn more about our managed IT services and how we can provide the help your business needs to move forward.

FAQs

What exactly is included in full-service IT support?

Full-service IT support typically includes services like 24/7 monitoring and maintenance of networks and servers, data backup, cybersecurity protection, technical troubleshooting, hardware/software upgrades, cloud integration and migration, help desk support, and strategic IT planning and consulting.

What is the difference between full-service IT support and “break/fix” services?

With break/fix services, you only pay when something breaks and you need repair or troubleshooting. Full-service support is proactive monitoring, maintenance, and management of networks to prevent issues before they occur, as well as expertise and guidance on optimising IT infrastructure.

What are the biggest risks of not having full-service IT support?

Lack of support puts you at major risk for longer technology downtimes from server, network or security issues, loss of data from inadequate backup solutions, falling behind competitors who are optimising IT infrastructure, decreased productivity from IT-related work disruptions, and increased costs over the long run from emergency IT spending.

How can I calculate potential ROI or cost savings from full-service IT support?

Analyse unexpected IT repair/recovery costs over the past few years, productivity losses from IT downtimes, having staff time tied up handling basic IT issues versus core business operations, reductions in operational efficiency from outdated solutions, and potential revenue growth from optimised technology performance.

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Twister Solutions joins Networking Essex

Twister Solutions are proud to have joined Networking Essex (networking-essex.co.uk) and look forward to meeting you all at networking events across Essex soon.

Founded by Aaron Desmond Networking Essex was established to bring businesses together through networking events that are fun, informal and well attended. With a strong and loyal membership base, Networking Essex has now firmly established itself as the place to meet leading businesses and business owners in Essex.

Cyber Essentials – take cyber security seriously

Cyber Essentials is a scheme that helps organisations protect themselves against common online threats and demonstrate their commitment to cyber security. It is backed by the UK government and overseen by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

There are two levels of certification: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. Essentials covers five basic technical controls: secure configuration, boundary firewalls and internet gateways, access control, malware protection, and patch management.

Cyber Essentials is suitable for all organisations, of any size, in any sector. It can help you to reassure your customers and suppliers that you have cyber security measures in place, attract new business with the promise of cyber security, and bid for certain contracts that involve handling sensitive and personal information, this has become more prevalent recently and is becoming a must have for even the smallest businesses, speak to Twister about a security review today.

Contact – Twister Solutions