Professional services firms are unique in that they often operate using proprietary and confidential information from their customers. From law firms to outsourced project management, these B2B organizations must operate at a higher standard of security and efficiency than many other organizations.
Take the SolarWinds supply chain hack that was so prominent in the news for much of 2020. In that situation, hackers used malicious software embedded in SolarWinds’ software—which many large organizations and federal agencies use—to break into confidential systems.
Similarly, professional services firms are often embedded in their clients’ IT ecosystem and must take extra precautions. This means they must turn to highly competent IT support providers like LISS Technologies.
Cyber threats go beyond supply chain hacks, however. One of the most prominent types of attack recently, ransomware, can be particularly damaging to a professional services firm. These attacks put confidential information at risk (and thus, a professional firm’s reputation) but will also cause extremely expensive downtime.
Avoiding Downtime
When a ransomware attack lands—usually the result of a successful phishing attempt—some, most, or all critical systems are disabled, at least until a ransom has been paid. Recent high-profile ransom attacks have cost businesses millions or even tens of millions, and that’s not even including the potentially more damaging downtime.
For professional services firms, in particular, system downtime means an inability to provide essential services to other businesses. In other words, the downstream effects can be catastrophic and will inevitably lead to lost business, now and in the future.
Everything Starts With an Assessment
At LISS Technologies, our assessment process is designed to determine what you are doing right, what is currently being missed, and where enhancements and upgrades can be made. From there, we’ll work tirelessly to bring your firm up to speed with cutting-edge cybersecurity and efficiency solutions modern technology can offer.
Our approach focuses on three general areas: hardware, software, and policy. Where hardware is concerned, we’ll update your infrastructure down to the wiring. Outdated connections, computers, networks, and more can all hinder your ability to work effectively for your clients. At the software level, we’ll make sure all systems are patched and updated. And, where outdated tools are being used, we’ll work to develop a migration plan to get your firm up to speed.
Finally, we’ll ensure your policies are meeting standard security best practices. How is your team using passwords or two-factor authentication? Does everyone know what to look out for to detect phishing? Your team is your first line of defense against ransomware and other cyber attacks, and good policy helps keep those defenses sharp.
We’ll also develop business continuity strategies and deploy backup and disaster recovery solutions so that, if and when a disaster does occur, your firm is able to get back up and running quickly. This outline is far from comprehensive, and the team at LISS Technologies has the expertise to meet the wide-ranging needs of professional services firms. From relocation to forensic computing, there is much more to the story. So, what does your IT support look like? Let’s schedule your assessment to get started.
