October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and its purpose is to help individuals and businesses understand the cybersecurity landscape, potential threats and steps to mitigate risk. This year marks the 20th campaign, and the cybersecurity landscape has drastically changed during that time. The tactics cybercriminals deploy are increasingly sophisticated. Now more than ever, we must take proactive steps to secure our tech environments.

This month of awareness and resources is organized by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. This year, the campaign is expanding to a year-round effort called Secure Our World. The initiative aligns with DMC Technology Group’s approach to IT cybersecurity as a vital partner in helping organizations develop and maintain a robust security posture. 

When was the last time your business engaged in a security risk assessment? Do your employees know how to identify and prevent phishing attacks? Is software continuously updated to apply the latest security upgrades and patches? These are just a few steps The National Cybersecurity Alliance suggests initiating this month and moving forward. 

As a managed services IT partner for businesses of all sizes, DMC is on the front lines of cyberattacks. We monitor clients’ technology systems around the clock to identify potential threats. We deploy proven strategies from industry-leading partners and our experienced engineers implement cybersecurity solutions that protect the most complex environments. This month, we’re honoring National Cybersecurity Awareness Month with some strategies for improving your IT security posture.

What Is Cybersecurity Awareness and Why Is It Important?

Cybersecurity awareness is understanding potential cybersecurity threats and best practices for protecting every aspect of your technology landscape, from networks and computer systems to email, cloud-based apps and mobile devices. We know cybersecurity can feel overwhelming in our digital world. Virtually everything we do in life and business is somehow connected to technology. Because of this, the windows of opportunity for cybercriminals are ever-expanding. That is, only if we give bad actors the keys. Ultimately, this is the point of Cybersecurity Awareness Month: to inform, share knowledge and secure our world.

Cybersecurity awareness includes:

• Employee education and training to understand and prevent cyber threats
• Understanding financial and reputational risks businesses face when security breaches occur
• Preparing an incident response plan to proactively manage cybersecurity breaches 
• Awareness of legal and regulatory compliance requirements so businesses and individuals understand their responsibilities 
• Promoting cybersecurity best practices and re-committing to essential tech security measures 

Specifically for businesses, cybersecurity awareness is crucial because what you don’t know about your IT security posture can cause significant damage to your organization. 

• Reputational damage
• Loss of customers
• Downtime, related costs and missed sales opportunities 
• Legal ramifications and fees 
• Loss of intellectual property and data 
• Reduced employee morale

Cybersecurity Awareness Education for Employees 

Employee education centered on cyber threats should be ongoing, and we realize that everyday business can push security training down on the priority list. But taking the time to deliver cybersecurity awareness education to employees is just as important as teaching job-related skills. After all, safely navigating the tech landscape is their job, too. 

DMC helps businesses create comprehensive cybersecurity policies for their team members. Even simple efforts like teaching employees how to create strong passwords or use multi-factor authentication go a long way toward protecting your IT environment. 

Here are some basic employee cybersecurity training topics to cover. 

• Assess employees’ cybersecurity knowledge with surveys to identify knowledge gaps.
• Consider employees’ job roles to tailor training for their position.
• Develop and clearly communicate your company’s cybersecurity policy including expectations, guidelines and consequences for non-compliance.
• Implement phishing simulations to test employees’ ability to recognize and respond to phishing emails and text messages.
• Create a cybersecurity incident response plan.
• Use real-life examples and case studies to explain social engineering tactics like baiting and tailgating.
• Enlist in an IT managed services partner like DMC to execute an employee cybersecurity training program and resources—you don’t have to do this alone. 

Business Cybersecurity Awareness Checklist 

Aside from essential cybersecurity employee communications, your business can improve its cybersecurity posture and reduce the risk of threats during Cybersecurity Awareness Month by taking these crucial action steps to mitigate incidents. 

Now is a great time to renew a commitment to cybersecurity. It’s a 24/7/365 necessity to protect your business from data breaches and losses, both reputational and financial. DMC offers a security posture checklist with critical IT cybersecurity measures that all businesses should deploy. One of those is effective security awareness training to help employees understand proper cyber best practices and their role in helping combat IT security threats. 

Following are other high-impact essentials to implement in your overall cybersecurity strategy. 

Assess Cybersecurity Risk — As noted, an IT security assessment will set the stage for your cybersecurity strategy by identifying vulnerabilities, potential threats and plans for resolving incidents. 

Backup and Disaster Recovery — If a security breach occurs, what’s the plan? Every business should have a business continuity plan in place that includes how you will effectively backup and recover to reduce downtime and regain access to mission-critical systems, applications and data. This coincides with incident reporting protocols so employees know how to respond when a security breach occurs. 

Endpoint Detection, Protection and Updates — Your IT environment extends far beyond office computer systems and tech infrastructure. End-user devices including smartphones and tablets are equally vulnerable to cyber threats. There are more endpoints attached to networks than ever before, which is why your business needs to protect those devices with elevated security measures. Additionally, endpoint updates to stay current with security patches will ensure ongoing protection. 

Email Protection — This is the main entry point for phishing attacks and other sophisticated hacks. Email protection should guard against credential phishing and email compromise, and there must be a plan for investigating and remediating attacks. 

Conditional Access — Who has access to your cloud-based and on-premise applications? For added security, there are solutions that allow employees to access those applications only when they are using trusted, compliant devices. You can’t be sure that home laptops and devices are equipped with the IT security measures to protect your business. So, conditional access is another layer of protection. 

Multi-Factor Authentication and Strong Passwords — The National Cybersecurity Alliance emphasizes this practice in its October Cybersecurity Awareness resources. Enable multi-factor authentication that requires employees to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to password-protected information. Also, examine your password policy. Use strong passwords, and then implement the Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) to automatically manage and back up those passwords.

Next-Generation Firewall — Modern, high-impact firewalls should include threat protection, gateway security or multi-engine sandbox detection. This tool analyzes suspicious code and behavior so you have full visibility of malicious activity to resist potential threats. 

Encryption — By encoding messages, hard drives and personal information, only those with authorized access can gain access. Encryption also protects workers when they are working off-site or from home. 

Domain Name System (DNS) Security — DNS servers can be cyber attack targets orchestrated in conjunction with other security breaches. Bad actors compromise DNS servers to distract IT security professionals from the main target, which could be sensitive information or proprietary data. DNS is how employees access apps and IT services, whether on-premise or in the cloud. So if DNS is compromised, your business is shut down until the attack is remediated. 

Life Cycle Management — This speaks to the critical need for ongoing cybersecurity awareness and oversight. It includes maintaining up-to-date hardware and firmware, along with support to safeguard systems. 

Grow Cybersecurity Awareness with DMC 

Cybersecurity awareness is a year-round pursuit. Businesses can’t afford to let their foot off the gas pedal of managing IT security. We recommend starting with an IT security assessment to identify vulnerabilities. DMC delivers thorough cybersecurity assessments conducted by our multidisciplinary team of IT engineers, who examine every facet of your operation. From there, we build backup and disaster recovery protocols, IT strategic plans and can oversee the entire tech environment to protect your business from cyber threats. 

Why not start with an IT security assessment and employee cyber training by DMC. We’re spreading the word about cybersecurity awareness—join us. Let’s talk tech.

Posted by Greg Gomach, Business Unit Manager at
DMC Technology Group

The post Cybersecurity Awareness Month  appeared first on DMC Technology Group.

Windows Server 2012 (R2) Retirement & End of Support: What It Means

Windows Server 2012 (R2) retirement and end of support means that Microsoft will officially stop providing updates, patches, and technical support for the operating system. Here's what it means in practical terms:

1. No More Security Updates: Microsoft will no longer release security updates for Windows Server 2012 (R2). This leaves the operating system vulnerable to new security threats and exploits that may emerge in the future. Without regular security updates, your system becomes more susceptible to attacks, and the risk of data breaches.
   
2. Limited Technical Support: Microsoft will no longer provide technical support for Windows Server 2012 (R2) This means you will not have access to support options, including assistance with troubleshooting, configuration, or compatibility issues.
   
3. Compliance Concerns: Using an unsupported operating system may lead to compliance issues, especially if you are subject to specific industry regulations or data protection standards. Compliance requirements often mandate the use of supported software to ensure security and protect sensitive data.
   
4. Compatibility Challenges: As newer software and hardware technologies are developed; they may no longer be compatible with Windows Server 2012 (R2). This could limit your ability to install or run certain applications and drivers on your server.

What To Do If You’re Running Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2

To address these concerns, it is recommended to migrate to a supported operating system version, such as Windows Server 2022. Upgrading to a supported version ensures that you receive regular security updates, technical support, and compatibility with the latest software and hardware releases. It also helps maintain compliance with industry regulations and standards.

Is now the time to move to the Cloud?

If you are currently running Windows Server 2012 (R2) it’s a great time to look at the cloud. With a migration already required, some workloads could move to a more robust and secure environment. Here are six reasons why you might want to consider migrating to the cloud:

1. Extended Support: By moving to the cloud, you can take advantage of extended support provided by cloud service providers. They often offer extended support for older operating systems, such as Windows Server 2012 (R2), beyond their official end-of-life dates. This ensures that you continue to receive security updates and technical support for your server.
   
2. Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud platforms provide scalability, allowing you to easily adjust your server resources as your needs change. You can scale up or down based on demand, avoiding the need to invest in and manage physical hardware. This flexibility allows you to optimize costs and ensure optimal performance.
   
3. Enhanced Security: Cloud service providers typically have robust security measures in place to protect your data. They invest heavily in security technologies, including encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. Migrating to the cloud can enhance the security of your IT environment compared to on premises infrastructure.
   
4. Disaster Recovery and High Availability: Cloud platforms often offer built-in disaster recovery and high availability features. You can leverage these capabilities to replicate your server environment across multiple data centers, ensuring business continuity in the event of a failure or disaster. This helps minimize downtime and data loss.
   
5. Cost Savings: Migrating to the cloud can provide cost savings compared to maintaining and upgrading on-premises infrastructure. Cloud services operate on a pay-as-you-go model, allowing you to pay only for the resources you use. You eliminate the need for upfront hardware investments, ongoing maintenance costs, and energy expenses associated with running your own data center. More savings may be available with 1- and 3-year contracts through Azure.
   
6. Access to Newer Technologies: By migrating to the cloud, you can leverage the latest technologies and services offered by cloud providers. This includes machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analytics, serverless computing, and more.

How DMC Can Help With Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 Retirement

It's important to assess your specific requirements, budget, and security considerations before deciding. We can help you plan and execute a successful migration to the cloud or transition your infrastructure to an updated version of Windows Server.

Want to learn more about help With Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 Retirement? 

Let’s talk. Call us any time at 419-535-2900. Or fill out this simple contact form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Posted by Greg Gomach, Business Unit Manager at DMC Technology Group

The post Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 End of Life appeared first on DMC Technology Group.

We need more women in tech jobs — to problem-solve, engineer, innovate, grow relationships and contribute to product development. After all, if about half of consumers are female and we’re designing software, hardware and tech tools without women’s voice at the table, aren’t we inherently missing the market?

Women in tech jobs bring a fresh perspective, diversifying the conversation. This is important for any business in every industry. A Harvard Business Review study found that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. And let’s face it, women and men are different. (This is a good thing!) When we invite a range of perspectives to the workplace, we grow a more creative talent pool. 

A range of perspectives sparks innovation. More voices at the table means more creativity, more skills and more experiences that contribute to creative problem solving. Studies prove that mixed-gender teams deliver more novel work than all-women or all-men teams. And diverse workplaces also tend to be more profitable. A McKinsey & Company report showed gender-diverse companies are 25 percent more likely to outperform competitors that lack diversity. And the more women represented, the better for a business’s bottom line – by up to 48 percent. 

It’s always the right time to showcase tech jobs for women, and in honor of Women’s History Month in March, we hope highlighting opportunities in IT and tech careers throughout the industry and at DMC Technology Group will inspire more women to pursue tech jobs. 

So, how do women thrive in tech jobs? Here are five qualities that make women an ideal fit. 

Women of Tech are Critical Thinkers

A study in Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal highlights creativity and gender differences, explaining that women naturally analyze and their minds are constantly at work. This is not to say men are not doing the same, but women plan, organize and multitask as a necessity of everyday life. And so it makes sense that in the IT workplace, these skills are valuable for solving problems, addressing challenges and designing new products. 

Sharing is Caring – Women are Communicators 

Explaining thoughts and verbal/written expression are a strength women bring to teams. So is listening. (Communication isn’t just about talking.) Women are effective at perceiving body language and feelings. Women in IT jobs can explain complex concepts to clients, interface with customers in a way that shows understanding and empathy, and listen to client requests and feedback so they feel heard. 

Overall, women are connectors, valuing relationships with each other, their families, friends and communities. In the IT workplace, this provides a rich client experience that is appreciated in VCIO, co-managed and managed service roles.  

Women In Technology Inspire Each Other

Women are patient, taking time to teach and explain. As mentors, women in tech jobs can encourage more females to pursue IT careers by setting an inspiring example. The IT sector provides rewarding, well-paying career opportunities, where women can excel as leaders. 

There’s a high demand for skilled workers in the technology industry, with expected continued growth. For women with the right skills, education and experience, this means many job opportunities. With the tech industry constantly evolving, there will also be opportunities for career growth and advancement. 

Workforce Diversity Attracts Talent

Diverse work environments attract talent in regions that value and support women in the workplace like the United States and Western Europe. Diversity can indicate that a company is competently run and values a range of perspectives. When workplaces recruit and promote women – including them at all levels and in the C-suite – they outperform in the hiring game. Case in point: When the job site Glassdoor surveyed job seekers, 67% of the 1,000 respondents said they evaluate workplace diversity when deciding if a company is a great place to work. Another survey revealed that 61% of women look at gender diversity when considering a future employer. 

Women In Tech Statistics

Even knowing that a more gender-diverse workforce outperforms others, is attractive to job candidates and is proven to be more innovative, women still only represent 26% of the tech workforce in the United States. Only 5% of tech leadership positions belong to women, and the percentage of women in all tech-related careers has decreased during the last couple of years. There’s a significant gap in women’s representation in tech given that women account for 47.7% of the global workforce. When you consider that women account for nearly 48% of the global workforce, it highlights the vast opportunity for companies to diversify their workforce and improve their bottom line. 

Our bottom line? The tech world needs more women in tech.

Want to learn more about IT careers? 

Let’s talk. Call us any time at 419-535-2900. Or fill out this simple contact form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Posted by Greg Gomach, Business Unit Manager at DMC Technology Group

The post Tech Jobs for Women – Inspiring Innovation appeared first on DMC Technology Group.

But can your business afford Chief Information Officer (CIO)? And is adding another executive to your C-suite the best way to funnel resources? 

For small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the answer is no. But the problem is, a clear tech strategy, stopgap cyber monitoring and IT support are mission critical for running a business. To remain competitive in today’s environment, digital transformation is essential. 

What Is a vCIO? vCIO vs CIO.

A great option is to employ the services of a vCIO. A virtual chief information officer (vCIO) can deliver managed IT services that align with your business’s needs and budget. Managed service professionals (MSPs) can implement and maintain IT software, hardware, cloud solutions and security measures. A virtual CIO can oversee your entire IT infrastructure, or help guide work alongside a small internal IT staff in a co-managed role. Basically, SMBs can gain a high level of technology and IT expertise without the financial commitment of paying a CIO salary. 

What Are The Benefits Of A vCIO?

Wondering what the Virtual CIO Services and Benefits are? A vCIO can act as an external IT department, performing duties like creating strategic IT goals, planning the IT budget, implementing hardware, software and cloud solutions, monitoring and addressing security concerns, and more. Basically, everything within your IT infrastructure can be managed and maintained by a vCIO, who also serves as an IT adviser to leadership. A vCIO can help a company align its technology strategy with its overall business goals. 

A vCIO can also identify opportunities to improve and innovate their clients IT infrastructure. We like to divide managed services into three buckets: support, optimize and secure. 

Support. IT managed services support ensures that your network and servers are always firing, with 24/7 access to help. It includes managing antivirus software and licenses, along with workstation antivirus and antispyware. This access to technology expertise may not be available in-house. Guidance on emerging technologies can provide opportunities that may otherwise remain unknown, and enable your company to stay up-to-date on the latest technology trends.

Optimize. A vCIO will optimize your IT infrastructure by participating in budget planning, managing hardware and software agreements, and proactive planning to replace and/or upgrade servers and workstations. A vCIO can help identify cost-saving solutions and negotiate better deals with vendors. Additionally, your vCIO can recommend tools and technologies to streamline processes that help employees work more efficiently, resulting in increased productivity.

Secure. Network and IT security for SMBs includes periodic assessments, incident detection and response, along with computer updates and security patches. A vCIO will monitor servers, networks and firewalls to keep your business safe. This type of comprehensive security is imperative to keeping a company safe.

With a vCIO you can access remote or in-person support, and a reputable IT managed services partner will also offer email support and a help desk for 24/7 access. A virtual CIO service includes all of the support you would expect from an in-house CIO.

Qualities to Look for in a vCIO for Outsourced IT

Like hiring any employee or management team member, you should look for a virtual CIO whose values align with your culture and organization. You must trust the vCIO to develop a strategy, plan, guide and protect your IT infrastructure.

Because you’ll include a vCIO in strategic planning and budget discussions, you want an IT managed services partner that works well with your team and organization. 

Some qualities to look for in a vCIO if you choose to outsource IT services include: 

• Open communication and processes. Your vCIO will be in constant touch with decision-makers and should provide multiple ways to communicate: phone, email, help desk and in person. Strong interpersonal skills are a must.
• IT strategic planning. A vCIO is so much more than tech support for your business. This IT professional should have the ability to think long-term about your growth and market opportunities to assure IT infrastructure aligns with business goals. 
• Ability to quickly adapt. You want a vCIO who understands that change is the nature of business and technology. Plans change, goals change and opportunities change. A vCIO should anticipate change, but also show flexibility and pivot when decision-makers need. 

Ultimately, the vCIO role is to be your technology and IT advocate. Your vCIO should develop relationships with your employees and key decision makers, and explain technical information in a way that’s easy to understand. 

Why Hire a vCIO? Is a vCIO Right for Your Business? FAQs

vCIO services are right for your business if you do not have the budget to add an executive IT leader to your team. vCIOs have a seat at the table in a SMB that can rely on the IT expertise for strategic planning, IT implementation, security monitoring and vendor management. A vCIO is also ideal in large companies where there is a CIO vacancy, or to manage IT projects on an as-needed basis.

Want to learn more about bringing virtual CIO services to your company? Let’s talk. Call us any time at 419.535.2900. Or fill out this simple contact form and we’ll get in touch with you. 

Posted by Christopher Ferguson II, Client Executive, DMC Technology Group

The post Does Your Business Need a vCIO? appeared first on DMC Technology Group.

A conversation with DMC Technology Group President, Patrick Sheehan

What do Zoom, eBay, Dell, Intel, Google, Microsoft and Amazon have in common? Aside from being household names, they join other global technology companies that have laid off a combined 95,000 employees since the beginning of 2023. The number is staggering, and yet we shouldn’t be all that surprised. 

In a conversation with Patrick Sheehan, president of DMC Technology Group, we learn what is driving massive layoffs in publicly held technology corporations, and why DMC’s approach has resulted in the opposite trend: actively recruiting tech talent. 

In a news spotlight on WTOL, I explained what makes our position in the market unique. Because of a culture built on long-term, sustained growth and success, we take a different approach to building our company. For publicly-held companies in the tech industry, the pandemic introduced tremendous opportunity. With people working from home, security concerns elevated as did the use of the cloud, Microsoft products, video conferencing and so on. 

DMC Technology Group is hiring client executives, engineers, and programmers. How is the company positioned to recruit tech talent when so many others are trimming down their staff?

In the WTOL interview, I shared this with the reporter: 

"These companies are publicly-held and that creates a very different dynamic. Their shareholders expect them to ride the wave of opportunity as it comes along and scale back during downturns. That results in mass hirings and, in the current environment, some heart-breaking layoffs. The leaders at these large companies are good people, but they’re required to direct their loyalty to their investors. We are a locally owned private business, so we are insulated from the expectations of outside investors.”

When you interview candidates applying for open technology positions at DMC, what do you want them to know about the company?

I tell the candidates I interview that I want them to retire from DMC. That might seem far-fetched, but it’s important for our company culture and clients to providing continuity and minimiz turnover. It’s my responsibility as an owner to fulfill this commitment by offering rewarding careers. Our clients depend on the consistency of working with engineers and programmers who truly know their operations. 

Publicly held companies, even if they wanted to, do not necessarily have this luxury. Their stakeholders and investors want them to ride the wave. And when that swell calms down or dips, they must respond accordingly. Unfortunately, that has resulted in widespread tech industry layoffs with a lot of displaced talent in the corporate sector.

One of my proudest moments as the owner of DMC was in 2009 when the bubble burst and the economy plummeted into a recession. Like many, we were having a tough time, and I met with our leadership team and said, “We have challenges ahead of us.” We didn’t want to lay off any of our people, so I suggested that we institute a temporary across-the-board, tiered pay decrease. The people at the top took the largest cut. 

Can you share an example of putting people first and avoiding layoffs, even in a tough economy?

This isn’t the type of message you want to deliver at a company meeting, but afterward, many of our team members approached me privately and said things like, “If we can avoid laying people off, I’m all for it.” There was a true sense of camaraderie and a cohesive spirit. We supported each other as a team.

We got through those tough times, ultimately growing out of the recession. Within about a year, salaries returned to their previous levels and we made up for lost wages. 

As a small business, we are nimble and can pivot quickly to put in place systems, procedures and plans that will help us succeed over the long-term. That’s a real benefit for our clients and our employees. We make it a point to emphasize to our team and clients that we are focused on sustainable growth and success for everyone. 

What opportunities is DMC Technology Group pursuing that will fuel long-term growth and create more jobs?

We strategically pursue opportunities that will fuel long-term growth that also allows us to hire and retain more talent. Namely, we are directing business development initiatives toward internet security, Microsoft Cloud, Microsoft 365 products and the subcategory technologies that go with them. Microsoft is a critical part of our business, and we may actually be the beneficiary of some of this talent now being available for hire. 

As companies’ demands for IT managed services, tech security, cloud-based technologies and Microsoft solutions continue, many do not have an in-house IT department or a Chief Information Officer. This is where DMC fills a critical void as a VCIO – Virtual CIO, or fractional CIO. When clients engage DMC as their VCIO, they gain the flexibility and bandwidth to scale up or back depending on their needs. This helps prevent a cycle of hire-and-fire in their own operations while delivering cost savings, so that they can direct resources to other important aspects of their businesses. 

The bottom line: In today’s dynamic environment, companies need more tech security measures in place to prevent breaches. They need support in place to operate in the cloud safely, to protect their clients’ privacy, and to run more efficient and collaborative businesses. 

Why might a technology professional who is used to the corporate world enjoy working for a family-owned business like DMC instead?

Those working in global tech companies who wonder, “Am I next?” might seek out careers at a place like the DMC because of the family-like environment and track record for stability. We are strategically recruiting Client Executives, Engineers, and Programmers. Recently, we  hired an Engineer and a Service Coordinator, and have engaged with a local Marketing Team to continue our strategic growth. 

For more information on our Toledo region IT jobs please visit our careers page.

Posted by Patrick Sheehan, Owner, DMC Technology Group

The post It’s All About the People – Hiring IT Talent appeared first on DMC Technology Group.