Joe Unger

Here’s How to Protect Your Backups From Ransomware

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Ransomware attacks continue to be a stark reality for businesses, especially for small and midsize enterprises that often become prime targets due to their limited cybersecurity defenses. Additionally, protecting your backups from ransomware requires more in terms of strategy than you might think.

 

Ransomware is a malicious software that encrypts your data, making it inaccessible until a decryption key is given, which is typically released when a ransom is paid. The impact of such an attack extends beyond the immediate data lockdown. It encompasses potential data leaks, regulatory fines, and significant reputational damage.

 

Throughout the course of 2021 and 2022 and well into 2023, attackers realized that by using a variety of techniques, rather than focusing on one, yielded better results. In 2022, ransomware attacks surged and accounted for 25% of all breaches that year.

 

“Securing your backups from ransomware isn’t just a strategy – it’s a necessity. In the digital age, your backups are the lifeline of your business continuity. Protect them fiercely, as if the future of your enterprise depends on it – because it does,” said Joe Unger, Global Technology Advisor. 

 

In this blog, we will explore the best practices for creating backups, strategies to protect these backups from ransomware, and the importance of a multi-layered security approach.

 

What Happens During a Ransomware Attack? 

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or data, typically by encrypting it. During a ransomware attack, you might find that your files, folders, and even entire systems are locked down and inaccessible. The attackers behind this malware encrypt your data, making it impossible for you to access it without a decryption key.

 

The core of a ransomware attack is the ransom demand. Attackers will ask for a payment, often in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key needed to unlock your data. Until this ransom is paid, your files remain encrypted and out of reach. 

 

This situation puts significant pressure on businesses, especially when critical data and operations are at stake. Many companies choose to pay the ransom to avoid extended downtime and the potential loss of important data.

 

Types of Ransomware Attacks and How They Impact Businesses

Types

What the Attack Does

Crypto ransomware

Encrypts valuable files and data, demanding payment for the decryption key.

Locker ransomware

Locks users out of their devices, blocking access to all files and systems.

Scareware

Fake software that acts as an antivirus or a cleanup tool.

Mobile ransomware

Targets mobile devices, encrypting files and demanding a ransom.

For small and midsize businesses, the threat of ransomware is particularly acute. These businesses are often targeted because they may not have the same level of cybersecurity measures as larger organizations. 

 

Unfortunately, blocking access to your data isn’t the only consequence of a ransomware attack. During one of these attacks, not only is your data blocked and locked, but attackers also gain access to sensitive information, which can include financial details, personal data, and other backup data. 

 

And, even if the ransom is paid, there’s no guarantee that the attackers won’t leak or misuse the information. For businesses, this can lead to regulatory fines, legal challenges, and severe damage to their reputation and operational continuity.

 

The good news? You’ve got some very powerful tools and strategies in your corner to help you protect your business’s data and backups from ransomware.

Best Practices for Creating Backups

Before we get into the best ways to protect your backups from ransomware, let’s go through a quick list of the best practices for creating backups.

Proactive backup strategy: Given the high incidence of ransomware attacks, adopt a proactive approach. It’s essential to be prepared rather than reactive.

Utilize cloud-based backups: Opt for encrypted, cloud-based backups. They offer better security against cybercriminal access and breaches.

Multi-pronged approach: Don’t rely solely on backups. Combine them with preventive measures like email scanning for malicious attachments.

Security awareness training: Regularly train employees in cybersecurity awareness. They should be able to recognize and respond to potential threats.

Regular testing and updates: Regularly test your backup systems and update them to ensure they are effective and ready for any unforeseen attacks.

 

Guidance on How to Protect Backups from Ransomware

Protecting backups from ransomware is crucial in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of your data recovery strategy. Here are a few key strategies to ensure your backups remain secure and uninfected:

Intercept viruses early: The first line of defense is to stop viruses before they can even reach your backup server. An infected backup not only becomes useless but can also lead to re-infection of your systems once restored.

Block harmful downloads: Implement measures to prevent users from downloading viruses and infected files. This step is critical in ensuring that ransomware doesn’t enter your network in the first place.

Halt network transmission: It’s essential to stop the spread of any infection within your network. This involves monitoring and controlling internal traffic to prevent the movement of ransomware from one system to another.

Top 7 Ransomware Backup Strategies

How often you make backups and how many versions of backups exist are also critical in strategies to protect operations and data from ransomware.

1. Adopt the 3-2-1 backup rule: Maintain three copies of your data: the original, an on-site copy on different media, and an off-site copy.

2. Keep different types of backups: For example, with full backups, you should copy everything you have. A differential backup, on the other hand, helps you save time by only having you copy changes that have been made since the last full backup.

3. Optimize your recovery practices: With this approach, you should schedule backups after overnight batch processes to ensure data is current. Additionally, you should use offsite incremental backups for specific file updates post-recovery.

4. Protect your endpoints: Focus on containing ransomware at the user endpoint level. This helps protect other devices and backup stores from being compromised.

5. Have distributed backup systems: Implement separate backup systems for different data types. Assign specific backup responsibilities (e.g., database administrators for databases, system administrators for file servers).

6. Test and update consistently: Consistently test your backup and recovery processes. Keep your security measures updated to defend against new ransomware threats.

7. Work with air-gap backups: Air-gap backups involve a physical disconnection of backup storage from all networks, including local and cloud infrastructures. By physically isolating backup data, it remains inaccessible to online threats, ensuring the availability of a clean, valid backup for data restoration after an attack.

 

Tip: Air-gap backups are best suited for static and non-critical data where recovery can be tolerated over hours, rather than minutes, making them a strategic part of a comprehensive backup plan.

 

Choose Vaultas for Unmatched Ransomware Defense and Data Protection

Ready to safeguard your business against ransomware? Vaultas is your go-to partner for secure data backup and data center services. Don’t let cyber threats disrupt your operations. 

 

Choose Vaultas for robust protection and peace of mind. Connect with us now to fortify your defenses and keep your data safe. Remember, in the world of IT, being proactive is key. Let Vaultas be your shield against ransomware. Act now – your data’s security depends on it! 

Ready to get started? Contact us today.

The Difference Between Hyperscale vs. Colocation

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In digital infrastructure, two prominent players dominate the landscape: hyperscale vs. colocation. As your business grapples with evolving data demands, you need to understand the key differences between these two solutions to optimize your investments in infrastructure. 

The good news? Many businesses just like yours are weighing their options when it comes to hyperscale and colocation: Industry revenue for colocation is expected to rise into 2028, with a projected valuation of $136 billion.

“Deciding between colocation and hyperscale data centers depends on what your business needs,” said John Unger, President of Vaultas. 

“Colocation is suited for businesses looking for flexible, cost-effective solutions for changing requirements. Hyperscale is ideal for large enterprises with high data volume needs, offering scalable and powerful data processing. Knowing their differences is essential for making the best choice for your company’s digital infrastructure.”

In this blog, we’ll cover colocation and its types, hyperscale, and differences between the two at a glance, as well as in-depth. We’ll also provide guidance on what to consider when you’re choosing between hyperscale vs. colocation data centers.

First, What is Colocation?

Colocation data centers provide a unique solution for businesses ready to evolve past legacy private data centers. 

These facilities allow for quick scalability of networking, compute, data storage and security systems both physical and virtual using an as-a-service model, which is especially beneficial for companies needing more capacity on short notice or simply using a OpEx model vs a CapEx model for your business. The ability to do both is what is best for your organization.

One of the key advantages of colocation is connectivity. Businesses housed in a carrier-neutral facility can easily connect to any vendor solution or end user/customer facilitating a dynamic digital ecosystem custom to your business. This setup unlocks new services and capabilities, vastly improving operational efficiency, innovation and growth.

It also offers more control at a lower cost compared to private data centers or cloud-only models. In this model, businesses can design and build their own space, but it requires a commitment to leasing larger spaces and power units. This approach is favored by large corporations and cloud service providers.

The Advantages of Colocation

The primary advantage of colocation lies in its ability to ensure consistent availability, which is critical for businesses aiming to maintain uninterrupted operations and high system reliability. 

Colocation facilities enable edge computing, which significantly reduces latency, leading to faster response times and enhanced user experience.

Furthermore, colocation makes it easier for companies to expand into new markets. By leveraging the infrastructure of colocation centers, businesses can quickly establish a presence in new areas without the need for substantial upfront investment in physical infrastructure.

Another critical aspect of colocation is its adherence to security and compliance requirements. These facilities are equipped and monitored 24x7x365 to maintain the highest levels of security, ensuring that sensitive equipment and data is protected.

This compliance of operating under regulatory standards is vital for businesses that handle critical data and require compliance and robust security measures.

Second, What is a Hyperscale Data Center?

Hyperscale data centers (HDCs) represent the pinnacle of data storage and processing capabilities, operating on a massive scale to meet the ever-growing demands of larger organizations and companies. HDCs also employ virtualization, allowing servers to run multiple virtual servers simultaneously. 

We offer access to these hyperscale centers without the need to pay the price to actually be inside them. We also provide direct access to these hyperscaler centers via our many networking partners.

The design of HDCs focuses on homogeneous scaling and immense processing power, catering to the needs of companies like Target, Kohls, and other cloud providers like Datto and Nutanix.

Due to the high build-out cost of the facilities. HDCs are often exclusive to these large corporations, although some may also offer services to third parties and partners like Vaultas enabling SMB businesses access to these HDCs.

HDCs revolve around equipment and tools specialized for large-scale data processing, and their server architecture is composed of thousands of servers in a distributed computing setup. These servers are organized into clusters, with each cluster handling specific workloads.

Load-balancing algorithms are used to ensure even workload distribution across servers. These centers are used for primary application and system providers, needing predictable and scalable Networking and IT systems at a moment’s notice.

Networking technologies play a crucial role, including software-defined networking and network function virtualization. Vaultas’s carrier-neutral model promotes cost-effective networking by providing access to any network provider of choice.

Colocation vs. Hyperscale: The Differences at a Glance


Feature

Colocation

Hyperscale

Scale

Small, Medium and Large

Large to Extremely large

Purpose

Scalability in Compute & Data Storage

Massive data processing

Customization

High (especially wholesale)

Limited

Control over space

Limited (retail)

High

Interconnectivity

Strong to Excellent

Varies, can be limited

Cost

Lower (Compared to owning)

High build-out cost

Interconnectivity

Strong to Excellent

Varies, can be limited
 

 

Differences Between Hyperscale Data Centers and Colocation – In Depth 

Hyperscale and colocation data centers serve vastly different needs due to their size to tenant structure.

Size-wise, hyperscale data centers are enormous. They house millions of servers and are designed for huge data-intensive businesses like tech giants. Have huge CapEx models that go with them. In contrast, colocation data centers have an overall smaller footprint, catering to a range of businesses with a range of IT needs.

When it comes to management, hyperscale data centers are exclusively managed by the owner’s employees. Colocation centers offer varied management options, depending on the customer’s choice, which can range from fully managed services to more hands-off approaches.

Ownership is another key difference. Hyperscale data centers are typically owned and operated by tech giants like Google and Amazon. Colocation centers, however, are owned by third-party providers offering both wholesale and retail services to a variety of clients.

In terms of pricing, hyperscale data centers may appear less costly in the short term but require a long-term commitment, which might not be feasible for all businesses.

You should know that while colocation centers are more expensive than hyperscale due to their flexible leasing options, they are generally much less costly than on-premises data solutions. Additionally, colocation provides greater flexibility and scalability, making it a cost-effective and adaptable choice for many businesses. 

Finally, hyperscale data centers usually have a single tenant – the owner – and are exclusively used for their operations. 

In contrast, colocation data centers typically house multiple tenants from diverse industries, creating a communal and resource-sharing environment. However, it’s important to note that there are colocation facilities that offer private suites and private connections, allowing for dedicated space and bandwidth without the need to share resources.


Learn more about data management and scalability with our blog:

What to Consider When Choosing Between Data Center Colocation vs Hyperscale

For small- to medium-sized businesses, colocation is typically more suitable. You’re able to lease exactly what you need in terms of space and resources without the substantial investment required for a hyperscale setup. Both hyperscale and colocation services, however, offer access to cloud computing.

Large enterprises might lean towards wholesale colocation for more extensive needs, or even consider building their own hyperscale data center if their operations demand it.

Internet connectivity in colocation facilities is a major plus. These facilities offer high-speed connections and cloud on-ramps so you can connect to hyperscalers like AWS. While some may not offer the ISP flexibility found in hyperscale centers, colocation connectivity provided is robust and dependable. 

Note: Off-net facilities, such as Vaultas, are carrier-neutral centers that provide immense ISP flexibility as well as cloud on-ramp access.

Colocation centers also provide access to professional staff, ensuring your IT infrastructure is monitored and managed by experts. This is especially useful if your IT team is geographically separated from the colocation facility.

Finally, the cost aspect of colocation is particularly of note for businesses with small tech teams and moderate data needs. Colocation provides a cost-effective way to access high-quality data center facilities without the hefty investment required to build their own or for hyperscale setups.

Unlock Your Business Potential with Expert Colocation Services

With 40+ years of expertise, Vaultas is your go-to for a vast network of data centers, networks, and colocation services. Always on with 24x7x365 support, our colocation network consists of over 60 providers across 1,600+ locations globally. 

Want access to over 500 network providers and IT solution suppliers? We’ve got them. Our mission is simple: tailor-made tech solutions that fit your business perfectly. 

It’s time to discover the Vaultas edge. Empower your business journey today with our expansive tech ecosystem and expert knowledge and advice.

Get in touch today – let’s drive your business forward.

Easier Analytics with SmiForce

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Regardless of your company’s size, industry or goals, data analytics is key to managing and growing your business. But it can be a struggle to gather data from across departments, compile and analyze it in a way that makes sense, and create reports for executives, decision-makers and stakeholders. If you’re in this situation, SmiForce can help!

SmiForce provides powerful business analytics with one easy-to-use, cloud-based tool. This eliminates the manual work of creating analytics and reports. It also gives your team the detailed insights you need to better understand sales, financial, marketing, manufacturing and IT data your company needs to function and grow.

Common Data Analytics Roadblocks

Here are a few of the most common problems we hear from companies struggling to manage data analytics internally:

  • Setting up and maintaining and analytics process requires significant staff time
  • There’s no automatic way to analyze all data from across departments
  • It’s difficult to create a cohesive summary for executives and stakeholders
  • There isn’t budget to set up and maintain an in-house analytics tool

How SmiForce Makes Data Analytics Easier

SmiForce’s robust analytics solutions solve those problems – and more.

  • Fast and easy installation requires minimal staff time and effort
  • No additional infrastructure is needed
  • SmiForce provides real-time dashboards, KPIs, scorecards and report insights, with one tool to visualize and analyze data
  • Better analytics with less staff effort creates more time to understand data and create actionable solutions

Could SmiForce’s data analytics tool simplify your business operations? Connect to SmiForce through the Vaultas IT ecosystem. Contact us to get started today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How IoT Can Help the Service Industry

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Today’s consumers expect speed, consistency, automation, accurate tracking and real-time notifications. It can be a challenge for service industry businesses to find or develop the tools they need to deliver on these expectations. Many business owners are incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) tools and platforms in an effort to give customers what they want.

The Benefits of IoT for the Service Industry

The Internet of Things offers several options for improving service. These include advanced process automation, asset tracking, predictive maintenance and more. There’s one capability, however, that provides the greatest benefit to the service industry. This is known as service tracking.

What is Service Tracking?

Service tracking provides real-time visibility and updates on a task’s progression. This is useful in a wide variety of industries, from restaurants to salons to repairs and more. According to IoT For All, service tracking generally follows these steps to track a task:

  1. Sensors embedded in equipment or in cameras observe the task, looking for specific indicators that the task has progressed.
  2. The data gathered by the sensors is transmitted via the internet.
  3. Observational data is fed into a centralized platform on the cloud and is transformed into insight about the task’s progression.
  4. Front-end software applications share data with stakeholders. For example, you might get a notification that your food has been delivered or your oil change is complete.

How Service Tracking Makes the Service Industry More Efficient

Using IoT to automate service processes creates efficiencies that benefit both the customer and your business. These include:

  1. Lower wait times
  2. A better customer experience
  3. Increased operational efficiency and profitability

How could the Internet of Things make your business more profitable? The Vaultas IT Ecosystem makes IoT integration easy. Contact us today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

What is BaaS and Why is it Important?

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As we’ve discussed on our blog, it’s important to take proactive, preventative action against the threat of ransomware, outages, and hacks. But there’s another piece that’s equally (if not more) important: the restorative aspect of disaster recovery, and protection against data loss. This is where BaaS comes in.

What is BaaS?

BaaS, or Backup as a Service, is focused specifically on the retention of data in the event of an outage or breach. BaaS protects data from loss, which leads to a more complete recovery and minimizes impacts to customers.

Why is BaaS Important?

First and foremost, Backup as a Service protects data. It tends to take a bit longer to retrieve and recover data, but this extended timeline allows for more time for QA. In addition, it saves costs, which is especially important when dealing with the fallout from a ransomware attack, outage or hack.

Aligning BaaS and DRaaS for Maximum Benefit

According to Beta News, the best strategy is to enlist and align BaaS with DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service). While DRaaS focuses on minimizing downtime and recovering all IT infrastructure as quickly as possible, BaaS focuses on retaining data and minimizing data loss.

Utilizing both allows companies to tailor their recovery plan to the unique needs of their industry, dataset and IT infrastructure. Not only will this optimize disaster recovery, but can also lead to significant cost savings.

Do you need help creating a DRaaS or BaaS plan? Contact Vaultas today!

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How to Include Disaster Recovery in 2022 Budget Planning

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Over the last few years, ransomware and cyberattacks have become increasingly more common. Organizations of every size and in every industry have been targeted, which shows that disaster recovery and business continuity are no longer an option. As your company or organization works on its 2022 budget, here are a few things to consider when planning for an outage, storm, attack or other disaster.

Incorporating Disaster Recovery into the 2022 Budget Process

According to the Disaster Recovery Journal, there are three questions to ask during the budgeting process. These will help identify risks and ensure that your business has the right resources in place for the 2022 budget year.

1. What risks does the company face?

Don’t think about risk only in terms of revenue. Consider the potential loss of reputation, of employee engagement, of systems and data, and more. How much risk is your company willing to accept?

2. What is the likelihood that the company will experience an event?

Remove the word ‘disaster’ from the conversation, and discuss the more likely potential causes of an outage or data loss. These range from simple human error or hardware failure, to power outages, storms and major meteorological events. Thinking along these lines will help you make more informed decisions.

3. What are the benefits of an increased investment in disaster recovery?

There are many benefits to investing more in disaster recovery and business continuity. Put simply, the faster your company can recover from disaster, the less impact on systems, customers, and revenue.

If you need help with IT budgeting or making a disaster recovery plan, give Vaultas a call! Leverage the power of the Vaultas Ecosystem to create a plan that meets your company’s unique needs. Contact us today to get started!

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How to Reduce Your Company’s Cloud Spend

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As more companies move more parts of their business to the cloud, many are finding it difficult to control cloud spend. Because of the many benefits of the cloud – which we’ll discuss below – there is good reason to understand and optimize cloud spending.

According to a recent report, companies are going over their annual cloud budget by an average of 23 percent this year. In addition, IT executives expect cloud spend to increase by nearly 50 percent in the coming year. So what can companies do to lower their overall cloud spend – and stay within their budget?

The Benefits of the Cloud

The cloud provides different benefits to individual companies, depending on their usage and needs. However, there are a few general benefits that apply widely across industries and companies – and are why the cloud is so universally appealing.

  • Flexibility
  • Scalability
  • Predictive costing
  • No upfront capital expenditures needed
  • Automatic maintenance and upgrades
  • And more!

 

 

 

How to Reduce Cloud Spend

Because cloud use varies so much from organization to organization, it’s difficult to list cost reduction strategies that apply universally. Megaport advises companies to optimize costs wherever possible. Cloud connectivity is generally a good place to start.

When organizations transition to the cloud, they often connect using public internet and VPNs. For greater security and performance, a dedicated circuit or other alternative may be a good option. However, that can result in a higher total cost of ownership.

So what’s the solution for over-budget cloud spend? Consider Network as a Service, or NaaS. Enlisting an experienced service provider to handle network design and implementation will save money, time, and confusion. NaaS will allow your company to streamline cloud connectivity, connect from a single network interface, transport data more securely, and make the cloud easier to use and understand.

Do you need help reducing your cloud spend? Contact Vaultas today!

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

Is Your Cybersecurity in Compliance?

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If you work in a heavily regulated industry like healthcare, banking or government, you’re most likely familiar with compliance requirements for your company and industry. But did you know that you must also meet compliance requirements for your cybersecurity program?

The reasons for this are two-fold. First, these companies store valuable and sensitive data related to health, finances and identity. Second, the value of that data makes cybercriminals more likely to target organizations in these heavily regulated industries.

The purpose of cybersecurity compliance requirements is to ensure that companies and organizations take all necessary and appropriate steps to protect this valuable data against hacks and cyberattacks.

 

 

 

Cybersecurity Compliance is the Baseline

It’s important to understand that compliance regulations should be considered the foundation of your cybersecurity program. If you don’t meet the regulations, your company could be subject to fines or penalties. But stronger action may be needed to ensure that your data and programs are fully protected from cyberattack.

In addition, if you do business in more than one state or country, it’s important to understand the compliance requirements for each municipality. All states have their own laws protecting consumer privacy, and the GDPR regulates data protection for all entities that store or process personal data of EU citizens.

Compliance Varies by Industry

To learn more about the regulations for your specific industry, download this comprehensive guide from our partners at Arctic Wolf. If you have more questions or need help getting your cybersecurity program in compliance, contact Vaultas today!

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How to Know Whether Cloud Data is Secure

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Your company’s data is its most valuable asset. Losing customer, financial, strategic or any other information to a hack or cyberattack could be disastrous for your company’s reputation and bottom line. Many businesses simply don’t recover from a data breach. And because storing data in the cloud creates more opportunities for hacks, it’s even more important to ensure that cloud data is protected.

When data is sent to the cloud, the virtual road on which it travels is easily exposed to route hijacking, hacking, and other cybersecurity threats. According to Megaport, many businesses don’t realize the vulnerability of their cloud data, making them even more susceptible to hacks. If you’re not sure whether your cloud data is secure, here are three things to ask.

Determining Whether Cloud Data is Secure

Are the Company’s Connections Private?

If any part of your data’s cloud journey involves public internet connectivity, consider establishing direct, private peering between data destinations. This reduces data’s exposure by taking it directly to its destination, rather than making stops along the way.

Does the Company Have a Secure Multicloud Strategy?

Even if you transport your data via private, secured connections, it’s at risk every time it’s transported. In a secure multicloud connectivity strategy, cloud providers will privately communicate with one another without having to travel across the internet. This shortens data’s journey and keeps it safer.

Are the Company’s Cloud Connectivity Platforms ISO Certified?

ISO certifications are international standards that specify requirements in various aspects of IT (along with many other industries). To receive an ISO certification, companies must prove that they meet all technical and legal requirements, and that they have the necessary safeguards in place. Check with all companies that handle your data and IT infrastructure to ensure they have the proper ISO certifications. If they don’t, it may be time to find a new cloud provider.

Do you have questions about whether your cloud data is secure? Give Vaultas a call. With our wide network of vendor partners, we can help you find the right cloud and IT providers that meet your company’s unique needs.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

Why Does the Network Matter?

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As companies adapt to a new reality, they are increasingly relying on multiple IT service providers to replace traditional infrastructure and meet ever-changing IT needs. For many, this means transitioning to new platforms and providers, and to cloud and colocation services for more reliable storage, operations and security. So what does this mean for the network in 2021 – and beyond?

Why the Network Matters in 2021

Both in-house and cloud computing needs are growing and changing – and connectivity and bandwidth needs are shifting too. According to Megaport, organizations that rely on public internet connectivity will find themselves at a disadvantage, plagued by security and reliability issues.

the network
photo credit: @brett-sayles accessed 6/9/21 via CC0

At the same time, migrating company data into cloud environments – and establishing the connectivity required to support them – is growing increasingly complex as demand increases. In order to maintain a fast, secure connection that supports employee needs and company operations, IT managers must understand the network options. Further, they must choose a reliable, scalable solution that meets company needs.

How to Choose the Right Network Connectivity

To streamline and simplify IT, many companies are turning to IT as a Service, or ITaaS, models to operate and maintain their IT platforms, products and services. Not only does this simplify IT management, but it also improves performance and increases security.

One service under the ITaaS umbrella is Network as a Service, or NaaS. This provides on-demand, dedicated connections to cloud providers and networks, as well as software and integration with cloud providers. NaaS providers can also – and perhaps most importantly – help you determine the right network connectivity solution for your company’s unique needs.

Need help finding the right network for your business? Contact Vaultas today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

Save Energy and Money with Li-Fi

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This Earth Month, we’re thinking about the many ways we can positively impact the environment. From making data centers more energy-efficient to prioritizing sustainability in the workplace, there are many ways that companies and individual employees can become more environmentally-friendly – and save money in the process. Li-Fi is one of those ways.

What is Li-Fi?

Short for high-speed visible light communication, Li-Fi is defined by LVX System as “the modulation of a free-space beam of light in order to transmit a signal.” In a more basic way, Li-Fi is lighting as a service. It adds a data stream to lighting, using photons both to light a space and to provide high-speed wireless service throughout. And because Li-Fi uses LED lamps with more responsive controls, it can provide better lighting with less energy and an overall lower cost.

The Benefits of Li-Fi

Using Li-Fi to light and connect your workplace has many benefits:

  • Saves energy and money
  • Improves safety and security
  • Provides high-quality light with greater control and a lower cost
  • Improves transmission speed using low-impact visible light rather than the high-energy radio waves used in Wi-Fi

“A Communication Medium of Light”

Soon, companies, partners and employees will come to expect more from lighting than just light. The LVX Li-FI Platform is a smart system, providing easy control and operation, and a host of additional capabilities. If a lighting upgrade is in your company’s near future, consider implementing the LVX Li-Fi Platform.

Vaultas partners with LVX System to install and implement Li-Fi. Contact us to determine whether this revolutionary system is the right next step for your business.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, security, connectivity, SD-WAN, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

5 Things to Include in a ‘Work Anywhere’ Solution

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Although COVID-19 upended many aspects of our lives, it also forced some long-overdue and necessary changes to the way we work. Now, even as the situation improves, many companies are announcing that they have decided to ditch their office space entirely and allow employees to work remotely. Many others are incorporating more flexibility into their policies. It’s becoming increasingly clear that, in order to attract and retain high-quality employees, companies must develop and implement a ‘work anywhere’ solution.

According to Evolve IP, there are five components that companies should include in a ‘work anywhere’ plan. Having all these pieces in place will improve clarity, avoid confusion and wasted time. In addition, it will ensure that your company’s systems and data remain secure and protected.

Define and Secure Employee Identities

Generally, employees fall into one of three categories:

  • Employees that rely on web-based tools (SaaS users)
  • Employees that need legacy line-of-business applications
  • Employees that require a full desktop

Determine which employees or positions fall into which categories to make options and needs clearer from the start.

Establish Device Management and Remote Work Security Policies and Procedures

Companies were forced to quickly send employees home last spring, resulting in many people using their own devices for work. As businesses move to remote work long-term, it’s important to get employees onto secure, company-owned devices. If not, establish clear security procedures for personal devices.

Choose a Collaboration Tool

When most or all of your team is working remotely, it’s more important than ever that they’re able to collaborate easily and effectively. From Teams to WebEx, Google to Zoom, there are a variety of collaboration tools available. If you need help selecting the right tool for your team, give Vaultas a call.

Create Contact and Support Center Teams

When a crisis occurs, the way a company responds to clients, partners and employees can have a huge impact on the brand’s public perception. It’s essential to establish robust contact and support center teams that can respond quickly and effectively.

Implement Remote Hiring and Onboarding Processes

If your existing employees are working remotely, you’ll need to acquire new employees remotely as well. In addition to remote hiring, it’s important to have technology and training procedures in place so new employees can get started with ease.

Are you experiencing challenges as you shift to a ‘work anywhere’ program? Vaultas can help! Contact us to learn how we’ve developed partnerships with a variety of IT solutions providers, and how those partnerships could save you time and money.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, fully integrated hybrid IT solutions that incorporate connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started.