Business Solutions for Fall 2021

FALL 2021 7 SOLUTIONS Damage from Sprinkler Systems Take a close look at your building’s sprinkler systems, particularly if you’re in a multi- story building. Even if you have a waterless fire suppression system in your server room, are there sprinkler heads in the floors directly above it? Would your IT infrastructure be threatened in the event of a faulty sprinkler head or burst pipe? Another consideration is whether your building’s sprinkler system is wet or dry. In a dry system, the water is not stored and the pipes are only filled when the system is deployed. In a wet sys- tem, the water is always there and holds the potential for damage. Outages Outages can occur as the result of a variety of everyday events. Your business could be left without internet and phone services because a property owner cut a fiber bundle while digging, a truck hit a utility pole, or a storm caused damage. To prepare for this contingency, you may have backup generators. If so, make sure you keep them maintained and stock up on enough fuel to make it through an extended power outage. Data Theft and Sabotage Disgruntled employees can cause major problems if they express their frustration through the theft or sabotage of company data. They know exactly what is most valu- able to your company, and how to access this data and equipment. To reduce your exposure, use offsite or cloud backup and have a policy for changing passwords to prevent data access by former employees. Contact Panora Telco or Guthrie Center Communications if you need help with data security. Our experienced team offers a variety of IT Security Services. SECURITY REMINDERS FOR WI-FI NETWORKS It’s important to stay on top of Wi-Fi security, since unsecured Wi-Fi connections can allow hackers to steal identities, passwords, and other sensitive data. Small businesses with limited IT resources are particularly vulnerable. Be sure to do the following: 1. Replace a router’s default login credentials . Most routers come with a default username or password that can easily be found online by hackers. Always change the login credentials of a new router to something complex and random. 2. Create a strong, long password and change it regularly . We know you might prefer to come up with a short, easy-to-remember Wi-Fi password and use it for years. But that makes things easier for hackers as well. The strongest passwords have at least 15 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. 3. Update firmware. Firmware is software that gives the router or wire- less access point its functionality. Like any software, firmware sometimes has bugs or security vulnerabilities that require security patches and upgrades. 4. Set up private and public access. Having both employees and customers on the same Wi-Fi network increases your security risk. Use a Service Set Identifier (SSID) to create two separate access points for your network. Planning for Small, Common Threats Disaster recovery plans typically focus on big threats like floods, fires, and tornadoes. Keep in mind, however, there are smaller and more common threats that can also present challenges to your business. Be sure to address issues like these in your planning: