Managed Cyber Security

A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is an advanced security device that goes beyond the capabilities of traditional firewalls by performing not only basic packet filtering and port-based access control but also integrating additional features for enhanced security. NGFWs can be deployed as physical appliances within an organization’s infrastructure, offering real-time inspection and processing of network traffic. These on-premises dedicated hardware devices come in various models to suit different throughput capacities and scalability needs, combining traditional firewall functions with advanced features such as deep packet inspection, application awareness, intrusion prevention systems, and more, to provide comprehensive security solutions. Additional features include:  

• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Analyzes network traffic in detail, to uncover and stop hidden threats within legitimate-looking traffic.  

• Application Awareness: Precisely identifies and manages applications allowing for specific application use policies.  

• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): monitors for known attack patterns and immediately block or mitigate threats.  

• User and Group-based Policies: Implements security policies customized for individuals or groups to enhance role-based access control.  

• Threat Intelligence Integration: Integrates with real-time threat intelligence feeds to quickly detect and block new threats.  

• SSL/TLS Inspection: Decrypts and inspects encrypted traffic to identify and block hidden threats, mitigating the risk of encrypted attacks.  

• Advanced Logging and Reporting: Provides in-depth reports on network traffic, security events, and user activities for analysis and compliance.  

• VPN (Virtual Private Network) Support: Enables secure remote access to network resources, essential for supporting remote work and branch connectivity.  

Learn more about NGFW for modern threat protection and how they can be deployed.  

Ensuring network compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is crucial for protecting sensitive information and maintaining trust. HIPAA violations most often occur when covered entities, business associates, or members of either’s workforces fail to comply with the Privacy, Security, or Breach Notification Rules. Here are compliance issues typically encountered in networks:  

• Snooping on Healthcare Records: Unauthorized access to patient information.

• Organization-Wide Risk Analysis Failure: Not conducting comprehensive risk assessments.  

• Security Risk Management Neglect: Lack of a formal process to manage security risks.  

• Delayed Patient Access to Health Records: Not providing or delaying access to patients’ own health records.  

• Non-Compliant Business Associate Agreements: Failing to establish compliant agreements with business partners.  

• Inadequate ePHI Access Controls: Insufficient measures to restrict access to electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).  

• Lack of Encryption on Portable Devices: Not using encryption to protect ePHI on mobile devices.  

• Late Breach Notifications: Not notifying affected parties of data breaches within 60 days.  

• Unauthorized PHI Disclosures: Sharing protected health information without permission. 

•  Improper PHI Disposal: Failing to properly dispose of protected health information. 

SOC 2 (Service Organization Control Type 2) is a cybersecurity compliance framework. Ensuring network compliance with SOC 2 regulations like is crucial for protecting sensitive information and maintaining trust. SOC 2 compliance issues typically occur due to failures in meeting the Trust Services Criteria which can be summarized as follows:  

• Security Measures: Insufficient protection against unauthorized access and information disclosure.  

• Availability Controls: Failure to ensure reliable system operation and access as per agreements.    

• Processing Integrity: Errors or unauthorized alterations in information processing due to inadequate controls.  

• Confidentiality and Privacy Protections: Inadequate safeguards for confidential and personal information.   

• Incident Response and Monitoring: Lack of effective detection, response, and continuous monitoring of security events.  

• Risk Management Practices: Weak processes for assessing and addressing system risks.  

• Change Management: Ineffective management of system changes, leading to potential security and operational issues.  

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an important security measure for any business aiming to safeguard its data and enhance online privacy and security. By establishing a secure and encrypted connection between a device (such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet) and a VPN server, it ensures that sensitive information is protected from interception.

This technology not only enhances privacy by masking your IP address and encrypting your online activities but also facilitates secure remote access to your company’s internal networks, or intranet. VPNs are particularly valuable for businesses of all sizes, enabling secure communications and data access for remote workers and between offices in various locations.

While VPNs significantly boost security and privacy, they are complementary to anti-virus software and do not replace the need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures. Implementing a VPN is an essential step towards creating a secure digital environment for your business, protecting it from cyber threats and unauthorized data access.  

View the case study: Designing a Secure Business Network or watch the video.

Most companies have tiered plans ranging in price from $12.99/month to $18.00/month. The pricing varies depending on each VPN service provider, the types of features you want included, and the subscription plan you choose.   

Businesses can protect themselves and their employees from phishing emails by implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures and fostering awareness. Educating employees about recognizing phishing attempts, setting up strong email security protocols, and using advanced tools to filter out malicious emails are crucial steps. Some of which include: 

• Train employees on recognizing phishing email. Unsolicited messages, unfamiliar greeting or tone, grammar or spelling errors, sense of urgency, suspicious links or attachments, requests for personal info, message you have won something, unusual requests, inconsistencies in email addresses, links etc… 
• Phishing Simulations. Conduct mock phishing exercises to help employees recognize and respond to phishing attempts 
• Require strong unique passwords. It is an important line of defense between you and the hacker. 
• Regular Security Updates: Keep all systems and software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. 
• Use MFA (Multi-factor Authentication). Enabling this adds an extra layer of security beyond just a username and password.
• Regularly back-up your data. To ensure you still have access to important files or data in a successful attack. 
• Block pop-ups. Enable block pop-ups to provide extra protection from phishing attacks (it helps avoid accidentally clicking on one) 
• Implement email filters. Utilize advanced spam filters and email security solutions to block phishing attempts before they reach inboxes. 
• Use antivirus software. If you accidentally click on a suspicious link, the antivirus software can step in before a virus can infect your device.
• DNS (Domain Name System) technologies. Improve the legitimacy of delivered emails and reduce the risk of in-transit interference using DNS technologies such as SPF (sender policy framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance).

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a cyber security feature that requires users to provide two or more authentication factors to verify their identity before being granted access to a system, account, or application. The goal of MFA is to add an extra layer of security beyond just a username and password. Businesses can choose which authentication options are best suited for their needs, based on factors such as the level of security needed, ease of use, user experience, and cost.

There are typically three types of authentication factors:  

• Something you know, such as a password or PIN.  
• Something you have, such as a security token or smartphone.  
• Something you are, such as a biometric factor like a fingerprint, voice recognition or face scan.  

NPS (Net Promoter Score) is a customer satisfaction metric based on feedback received from surveys given to customers based on one question; on a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to recommend our product and service to a friend and colleague? We are very proud that Universal Connectivity’s Net Promoter Score is 83 in an industry average of 31. 

A vulnerability scan is designed to identify and prioritize   security vulnerabilities within your systems (based on their severity & potential business impact). It is recommended to be performed regularly, at least once a month, to ensure ongoing protection. 

The scope of these scans includes finding both internal and external vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and system weaknesses across individual assets and applications. This process is non-intrusive and automated, serving as the initial step in testing security by identifying and reporting on potential vulnerabilities.  

A penetration test attempts to exploit vulnerabilities to assess the real-world impact and effectiveness of security measures, essentially simulating a malicious attack to see how far a hacker could penetrate the system It is designed to identify unknown weaknesses and potential attack paths within your system. It is typically conducted periodically, based on need or specific requirements. 

The scope of the tests stimulates real-world attacks, showing how both internal and external vulnerabilities can be actively exploited and what assets may be exposed. This intrusive testing uses advanced security tools and techniques to simulate real attacks, providing reports on how weaknesses can be exploited, wither manually or automatically.  

While the names sound similar, there is a difference between a penetration test and a vulnerability scan. A penetration test (pen test) simulates an actual attack to find unknown security weaknesses and potential attack paths within your system. A vulnerability scan is designed to find and prioritize security vulnerabilities within your systems based on their severity and potential impact.  

• New: These vulnerabilities have only been recently discovered and publicly disclosed. 
• Known: They are documented, and the security community has developed awareness around them, including how they can be exploited and how to remediate them.  
• Unknown: Vulnerabilities or weaknesses that have not been previously identified or documented within an organization’s systems. These can include newly discovered security flaws, hidden vulnerabilities, and unexpected attack paths. 

As with any internet-based technology, VoIP systems are vulnerable to security threats like hacking and phishing. Hackers might listen in on calls, steal data, or disrupt your service. Here are some measures that should be in place for your VoIP system to protect your business: 

• Use Strong Authentication: Implement complex passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access. 

• Educate employees: Train staff on VoIP security best practices, including recognizing phishing attempts and using strong passwords. 

• Regular Updates: keep all software and hardware up to date with the latest security patches 

• Install Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems: These tools help block malicious traffic and monitor for suspicious activities. 

• Encrypt Communications: Use encryption protocols like SRTP (Secure Real-time Transport Protocol) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) to protect voice data from eavesdropping. 

• Backup Data: Regularly back up your VoIP data and call logs to protect against data loss in case of a security breach. 

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a solution that enables businesses to maintain control and security over their corporate data and networks while allowing employees to use their preferred mobile devices.   

MDM encompasses functions and features aimed at controlling mobile device usage according to organizational policies. It manages software, inventory, policies, security, and services for devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. MDM is essentially an IT process that uses specialized tools to ensure efficient and secure management of devices accessing corporate data and networks. 

MDM software gives companies a way to track all corporate mobile devices centrally. It also helps automate routine tasks, such as patching and monitoring, reducing manual errors and making processes efficient. Some common tasks that IT teams undertake using an MDM are:  

• Maintaining comprehensive inventory of hardware, software, and applications, as effective management requires visibility of all assets.  
• Enabling remote management, monitoring, and security measures for devices, along with timely distribution of applications, updates, and content.  
• Enhancing security by separating the company network into subnets and strategically distributing data. This ensures employees have access only to necessary information.  
• Providing a strong virtual private network (VPN) connection to ensure secure connectivity from other networks.  
• Implementing device tracking functionality to enable data recovery or remote wiping in case of device loss or theft.  
• Creating a flexible work environment that empowers employees to work from anywhere with ease.  
• Increasing employee productivity by supporting BYOD usage.