December 2018 Newsletter

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What's New

We are excited to announce a new look and feel to our homepage, which is available at www.dpsolutions.com.

Our goal with this new look is to create a user-friendly browsing experience for our trusted clients and prospective customers.

The new page features the wonderful staff of DP Solutions, gives better access to our five core services, and provides a nice snapshot about what makes DP Solutions special.

We hope you enjoy our fresh look and more user-friendly navigation. 

How to Keep Your Security Posture Strong When Moving to the Cloud

There has clearly been a major shift towards businesses hosting their critical applications in the cloud.  Software as a Service (SaaS), as well as cloud-based servers from Amazon or Microsoft, have changed the way we build networked business systems for any size organization.

Cloud-hosted solutions can simplify local management, save money, provide flexibility, and generally simplify the planning for a system life cycle.  However, a shift to the cloud can also have an impact on your company’s cybersecurity.

Below are a few security and risk considerations to take when moving to the cloud. 

Disaster Recovery and Redundancy

For most organizations, the benefit of cloud-hosted disaster recovery (DR) and redundancy solutions exceeds anything that they could reasonably build and host themselves. However, there are still other considerations to take into account. 

With cloud-hosted DR solutions, the very definition of a disaster changes.  Instead of worrying about a server failure in the local network closet, a disaster might now mean a telephone pole getting knocked out, severing the ability for the office to talk with the cloud servers.  For many applications that were once hosted locally, a disruption to Internet connectivity might have resulted in a yawn, but when companies depend on the cloud, a lost Internet connection means that business comes to a halt.  Therefore, it’s important that to invest in a redundant Internet connection, or “MiFi” style cellular connections as a backup

. 

It’s important to re-examine what defines a disaster now that you’re in the cloud, and what kind of redundancy you now need.  As always, first define the incident or disaster, and then consider the business challenges it would bring to help clarify the right kinds of solutions needed.

Device Security

Even in hosted environments, sensitive data still often resides on a device, at least temporarily. This means there can still be a breach risk.  But more importantly, the user behind the keyboard, as well as the accounts accessed by that user, could be compromised, leading to significant consequences. 

Fortunately, a comprehensive device security plan is still manageable.  In addition to proper user rights and authentication rules, organizations moving to the cloud should consider solutions like multi-factor authentication, disk encryption, or a personal VPN. 

Traditional security tools like proper patch management, Antivirus software, and common sense rules like not connecting to unsecure WiFi connections, can improve security in a mobile, cloud-based environment. 

Finally, it’s important to perform regular vulnerability testing on the devices used to access sensitive data in the cloud to ensure that the security approach is correct.

Network Monitoring and Endpoint Detection

Depending on the nature of the consequences from a security incident, or specific compliance rules due to the type of data you are working with, you may need to go a bit further in your approach to security and risk. 

One approach is to collect logs, and look for suspicious incidents on a network level.  With this approach, we try to detect early signs of an attack or data breach so that actions can be taken to thwart the incident with minimal consequences. 

Another approach focuses on monitoring the endpoint devices (i.e. PCs, switches and routers) for the processes running on the devices themselves.  This provides another way to quickly identify and respond to a cyber-threat. 

These kinds of solutions are sophisticated and require investment, so it is best to discuss the right approach with an expert.  Most major mistakes with cyber security are occur on the planning side, rather than with the technology itself.  Make sure that the investments you make in cyber security are put into the right risk management tools so you can get the best possible outcomes.

Guest Article  

90 Ways To Be Better

Robert Stevenson

Would you believe that there is an organization in America today that lists 90 traits, characteristics and soft skills they want their employees to have? Well, there is. My first thought when I saw the list was, “These folks are nuts!” But, after actually reviewing the list, I changed my tune. All of them are doable and warrant our attention. Success is always all about constantly becoming a better version of ourselves. The question is: What do we have to go by? How do we grade ourselves?

If I gave you a list of things that would help make you more successful, would you do them all? Well, here is an excellent list to start with. Now all you have to do is be really honest with yourself and decide if you live by each of the listed traits.

After reviewing the list several times, you may decide you want to add to it. There’s nothing wrong with that! Personally, I would add “Be nice” to the list. In fact, I would start with that one. But maybe they think “compassionate,” “respectful” and “empathic” cover that. I like it stated in simpler terms: be nice!

Good luck with grading yourself. The list sure does make you think. I am working on several of them right now!

Ability to compromise for the greater good  •  Accepts criticism constructively    Accountable  •  Adaptable  •  Analytical  •  Applies current best practices  •  Approachable    Assertive  •  Attentive to detail  •  Belief in the dignity of others  •  Calming  •  Candid 
  Community-oriented  •  Compassionate  •  Confident  •  Consistent  •  Constant learner    Courageous  •  Customer-focused  •  Decisive  •  Dependable  •  Detail oriented  •   Disciplined  •  Discreet  •  Effective communication skills  •  Embraces change 
  Emotionally healthy  •  Emotionally intelligent  •  Emotionally resilient  •  Empathetic   Energetic and enthusiastic  •  Ethical  •  Flexible  •  Focused  •  Frustration-tolerant    Honest  •  Humble  •  Informed  •  Shows initiative  •  Innovative  •  Inquisitive  •  Displays integrity  •  Intelligent  •  Excellent interpersonal skills  •  Judicious  •  Knowledgeable  •   Leadership  •  Learns from mistakes  •  Level-headed  •  Logical  •  Loyal  •  Good memory    Moral fortitude  •  Motivational  •  Good at multitasking  •  Non-impulsive  •  Open-minded     Organized  •  Patient  •  Perceptive  •  Perseverant  •  Has perspective  •  Is physically fit  Is prepared   •  Preserves confidentiality •  Proactive  •  Problem solver  •  Professional  •  Protective  •  Reasoning ability  •  Resilient  •  Resourceful  •  Respect for diversity  •  Respect for the individual  •  Respectful  •  Responsible  •  Self-motivated  •  Self-restraint  •  Good sense of humor  •  Sense of service to others  •  Skeptical  •  Exhibits sound judgment  •  Strong work ethic  •  Tact  •  Teamwork  •  Tolerance  •  Trustworthiness •    Verbal communication skills  •  Written communication skills

Robert Stevenson is one of the most widely recognized professional speakers in the world. Author of the books How To Soar Like An Eagle In A World Full Of Turkeys and 52 Essential Habits For Success, he’s shared the podium with esteemed figures from across the country, including former President George H. W. Bush, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Anthony Robbins, Tom Peters and Steven Covey. Today, he travels the world, sharing powerful ideas for achieving excellence, both personally and professionally.