Businesses, large and small, are always under threat from potential cyber attacks. Security breaches can damage the credibility of an organization, harming its relations to the public, and causing it to suffer both professionally and financially. The need, then, to undertake a cyber security assessment is paramount for the protection of businesses.

The importance of cyber security assessments is evident through its benefits. Businesses will be able to:

Identify vulnerabilities within their IT infrastructure
Migitate future risks and potential leaks
Increase awareness of potential threats
Establish a baseline in which future assessments are measured against
Discover active and inactive assets within the company
Gap analysis

Unfortunately, whether due to a lack of capital, resources or outright neglect, companies do not conduct these assessments as often as they should. By not conducting these checks, they leave themselves exposed to hacks and security breaches.

Whether conducted internally or by an IT company offering IT security services in Calgary, it is imperative to schedule annual cyber security assessments.

Why Get Annual IT Security Assessments

Stay Up To Date With New Threats

New online threats are emerging daily, putting more pressure than ever on businesses to stay guarded. Annual cyber security assessments will take into account new threats and establish the necessary safeguards against them.

Check If Security Protocols Are Still Effective

By conducting a review of their cyber security system, businesses can assess the effectiveness of their current security protocols. Too often, companies assume their old security measures can deal with new threats. That is not the case, and with an annual assessment, old protocols can be updated if needed.

Assess The Current Baseline For Performances

A security baseline is valuable to see how cyber security checks are measured. By conducting annual tests, businesses can assess to see if security standards have dipped or improved. Significantly, it provides businesses with the opportunity to make changes to that baseline, depending on external and internal influences. Changes might be required to lift the performance standards to ensure the company is protected against newer threats.

To Ensure Compliance

Due to the ever-changing technology industry, regulations will change, thereby affecting the standards and practices of businesses. Compliances will have to meet to obtain certifications and uphold ethical business practices. A cyber security assessment will provide an overview of compliance changes that are needed.

To Detect Any Security Breaches

Sometimes, companies are not aware of any security breach until private files start circulating in the public domain. The hacker or the hacking software remain dormant without anyone knowing. A security assessment helps identify any underlying threats that are residing in the IT system.

Although cybersecurity assessments are paramount to the safety and security of companies, irregular checks will make them irrelevant. Annual or half-yearly assessments are necessary to ensure that IT security systems are still effective.

If you do not have the capacity to administer regularly assessments, hiring a company that offers IT security services in Calgary can prove highly beneficial. With their expertise, they will be able to ensure that your cyber security is up to standards.

As the leading IT company in Calgary, Startech IT Services understands the importance of helping customers and providing them with the valuable support that they need. With our combined knowledge, experience, and approach customer service, we are the number one choice for your business’ IT services. Our StarCare Reachout Program is a fully customizable IT Services program designed for how your company uses IT and how it can improve it. To experience the best IT services in Calgary, call us on (403) 291-5507.

With advancing cyber threats to companies, the importance of being aware of your business’ IT security infrastructure is becoming increasingly crucial. But how will you decide whether your system is vulnerable or not? Undertaking a cyber security assessment can provide the answer.

What is Cyber Security Assessment?

The goal of a cyber security assessment – also known as an IT security assessment – is to understand the risks an organization might face concerning its cyber operations. Much like other risk assessments, it assesses if any external or internal threats might damage the company’s mission, functions, or reputation, before creating a plan where such threats can be managed.

Key operational assessments include the following:

Assessing the threats to a company and where those potential threats might arise from, including external forces (hackers, compliance systems or the public sphere) and internal forces (operations and employees).
Identifying internal and external vulnerabilities within an IT infrastructure.
The impact that these risks on a company’s output and operations.
The likelihood that the risks will occur, and how often they could occur.

Assessing the potential risks requires a careful analysis of any threats and vulnerabilities in an IT system. Whether conducted internally or by an IT company offering IT security services in Calgary, it is imperative to schedule a cyber security assessment regularly.

The Advantages of Implementing a Cyber Security Assessment

Identify Vulnerabilities In An IT System

First and foremost, conducting an IT security assessment will help identify vulnerabilities in any IT infrastructure. Companies will have a clear view of any security flaws in their systems, and more so, can use it to build a better plan to prevent attacks from occurring in the future.

Increase Awareness Of New Potential Risks

Newer threats can regularly arise without IT support staff being aware of them. Staying on top of these threats is paramount to avoid any damages in the future, and implementing a cybersecurity assessment schedule can prove beneficial against new threats.

Gap Analysis

A gap analysis determines the differences between the current and ideal state of information security within an organization. With a detailed breakdown of what is required to improve IT systems, companies can allocate the desired resources to ensure that the “gaps” in their system are filled. Thereby increasing their security protection.

Discovery Of Valuable Assets

A cyber security assessment can also help locate assets within an IT system. An asset can include physical objects, such as computers, laptops, servers, and digital platforms, such as cloud, containers, and web applications. Having a thorough list of valuable assets – whether active or inactive – will help keep a live view of any potential threats from emerging on any asset.

Establishing a Baseline

Undergoing an assessment will help set a standard of IT security controls, what is working and what isn’t. From there, a company will assess its IT security based on that standard.

Mitigate Future Risk

No company can stop all cyberattacks from happening, but a company can prevent them. Following an assessment, businesses now have a platform in which they can implement a plan to nullify risks. Having a robust, in-detailed action plan can prove hugely beneficial to companies when any cyber attacks occur. When a company is prepared, they can mitigate the damage of a successful attack, so it does not severely impact its operations.

There is no denying the importance of organizing and implementing a cybersecurity assessment. If you do not have the capacity to administer one, then hiring a company that offers IT security services in Calgary can prove highly beneficial. Not only will you get an assessment of your IT infrastructure, but you will also have trained experts ready to help you with all your managed IT support requirements.

For any business, protecting the personal data of employees, management and customers is of the highest importance. Companies must take proactive measures to ensure that this vital information is safe and secure at all times. Any hack or leak of data can be damaging to the business’ reputation and can lead to legal action from clients.

To guarantee the safety of personal data, hiring an IT company that provides IT security services in Calgary is essential. Here is how the IT company can provide your business with the protection it needs.

6 Ways An IT Company In Calgary Can Protect Your Data

Proactive Action

With an IT company in Calgary working for your business, you’ll have a team of experts taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of your data. The IT company will assess the status of your security systems to identify any high-risk vulnerabilities in the IT infrastructure, before implementing measures to prevent any hackers from accessing personal files.

Educate Your Employees

Most hacks or leaks of personal data occur because of a breakdown in processes by employees. Whether it is because of an accident or misuse, your team must be fully trained to use the internet safely to avoid any incidents occurring. The IT company can educate and train your employees to follow protocols and prevent any leaks occurring.

Extended Expertise To Deal With Hacks

Even companies with internal IT staff are taxed beyond their capabilities in their efforts to keep up with hackers and leaks. Many IT departments are unsure of how to proceed and stop it. With the extensive expertise from an IT company, these IT experts can help manage the crisis, find the source, and ensure that the threat is contained.

24/7/365 Monitoring

What happens when a hack occurs early in the morning or late at night when your IT department is no longer in the office? Who will manage the hack? With 24/7 monitoring a key component offered by many IT companies in Calgary, your business is always covered if a hack or leak occurs. Having a team of IT professionals on call 24/7 to provide you with the right IT security support will safeguard your business at all hours. You can expect a quick response from the IT company, who will sort out any issues you’re having, ensuring that no further damage is done to your business.

Disaster Recovery

If the worst should happen, and all your files are deleted, the IT company will be ready to recoup all your data with a disaster recovery service. A prime asset offered by IT security services in Calgary, this process acts as a safeguard to ensure that any lost data can be restored; guaranteeing that you recoup any vital information.

Regulation Compliance

Many industries throughout Calgary require compliance with regulatory authorities regarding the protection and security of data. Staying on top of this can be difficult for many businesses so that the IT company will act on your behalf. The IT company will ensure that your IT security systems are following compliance regulations demanded by authorities, so you have no issues down the line.