As we begin the third quarter of 2020, cybercriminals are continuing to adapt and increase their COVID-19 related attacks. Small to medium-sized businesses (SMB) are being targeted through a variety of malicious tactics. According to FBI Deputy Assistant Director, Tonya Ugoretz, the number of cybercrime reports has quadrupled in the months since the pandemic began. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was previously fielding 1,000 complaints a day. They are now receiving between 3,000-4,000, with the majority of complaints related to COVID-19 (Source: The Hill.)

Many companies have made the unprecedented decision to close their doors or keep essential staff in-house temporarily. Others have instructed the entire organization to work-from-home (WFH) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, an entirely new set of pressures is pulling for your attention: 

When it comes to managing networks, businesses often fall victim to assumptions and oversights. The reality is that the protection of information and applications is always evolving and, as criminals find new ways to exploit weaknesses, it's tough to stay one step ahead.

Trends in Information Technology are continuously changing and, as a result, organizations are having to adapt to those changes. Let's look at the most prominent IT trends that are showing up today. 

A bug in Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services has been discovered. The vulnerability allows an attacker to take over a Windows PC if it’s connected to the internet and is operating with an out-of-support operating system. Not all machines are vulnerable, but the number of exposed machines makes it likely that somebody will come up with a worm.

Systems Engineering (SE) is 100% employee-owned. What does that mean? Our company is an Employee Stock Ownership Program or ESOP.  ESOPs are companies where some or all of the ownership has transferred to the employees primarily in the form of non-voting company stock.  At Systems Engineering, we are 100% employee-owned.

At Systems Engineering, doing business with us means that every representative you talk to is either an owner or on a path to becoming an owner. Every owner at Systems Engineering has a deep, personal, and professional interest in the success of the company and its clients. "Treat it like it's your own," is something we all take quite literally, whether it's spending money, saving money, or ensuring that we find the best solution that's customized to each and every end user.