In a previous post, we discussed the business case for custom application development versus cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. Custom applications can be designed to precisely meet your business needs and conform precisely to your business processes and workflows. That’s not to say that custom apps are always the way to go. It can be a [...]
There is no question that Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has changed the IT industry. Rather than purchasing perpetual licenses for business software, most organizations are choosing to “rent” some of those applications on a monthly, per-user basis and access them via the cloud. The growth of the SaaS market signifies the value and convenience the concept brings [...]
Given that large enterprises with the most advanced IT security defenses in the world suffer major data breaches, no organization should assume it could never happen to them. Sure, these are high-value targets, but a growing number of hackers are going after smaller companies with weaker defenses. Organizations should always operate under the assumption that [...]
You wouldn’t ask Anne in accounting or Sam in sales to configure your firewalls, install an encryption solution or apply security patches. Yet most companies consistently make regular employees responsible for one of the most critical pieces of security — the password. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t work very well. Despite greater focus on improving security [...]
Some people might think warnings about IT security threats are overblown. That’s how they justify their “it will never happen to me” mentality. But what about the Equifax breach last year that exposed the personal data of nearly half of the U.S. population? What about the WannaCry ransomware attack that affected more than 200,000 computers [...]
The rise of electronic health record (EHR) systems, diagnostic imaging devices and other healthcare applications is driving overwhelming growth of healthcare-related data. A Ponemon Institute study found that 30 percent of the world’s data storage is consumed by the healthcare industry. The sheer volume of data is straining on-premises IT infrastructures, leading many healthcare organizations [...]
Cybersecurity professionals tend to lose sleep over hackers from every corner of the globe who try to steal data and disrupt business operations. However, insider threats have also become a growing problem. And those threats that exist right under your nose are difficult to detect and costly to manage. Research from the Ponemon Institute found [...]
With employees requiring access to a growing range of applications, systems and other IT assets, organizations need to take steps to strictly govern that access through effective user account management. However, a new study reveals that a widespread inability to implement basic best practices creates significant security risks while also impeding employee productivity. As the [...]
In the not-too-distant past, technology was considered a luxury, often reserved for a select few business functions and senior executives. Today, technology has become critical to business operations. In fact, many organizations can’t function if technology fails. Beyond day-to-day business functions, the services provided and capabilities enabled by technology create competitive advantages and revenue streams. [...]
Regulatory compliance requirements are increasing across a broad range of industries. Between new regulations and changes to existing rules, many organizations are struggling just to keep up with the scope and depth of compliance. What was once a yearly review and assessment has become a daily effort to ensure that all processes and systems meet [...]
