Tag: cybersecurity

GAGE Protects SMBs From DNS Attacks

December 21, 2018

Baton Rouge, LA – December 2018 – Gage a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), is helping small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) protect themselves and their customers from DNS (Domain Name Server) attacks through innovative technology solutions. As businesses around the world continue to migrate to cloud-based technology, and the demand for these solutions continues, the risk of a DNS-based attack grows simultaneously, as well. Gage is actively educating the business community and protecting SMBs from these threats.

Many businesses don’t realize the potential dangers of this type of threat because of its abstract nature. Domain Name Servers (DNS) maintain a directory of domain names and translate them to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. When hackers attack, they essentially overload websites with traffic, and then siphon traffic from the site the user was attempting to visit to a malicious one. Once the user arrives, they are subject to phishing attacks, malware installation and a whole host of other threats. Domain Name Servers are essentially the intersection between an Internet user and any business application they’re attempting to reach. Having unsecured DNS settings is like having an unsecured traffic system. If hackers can get inside and control which lights turn green and which turn red, imagine the traffic and accidents that could occur. This is essentially what is happening within unprotected networks.

“Most business owners are completely unaware of this threat and it’s growing prevalence. We basically tell our customers that if they don’t have DNS security measures in place, they don’t have any security at all,” stated Jason Landry, VP of Sales of Gage. “If there’s a site that is known to be malicious, the company simply must prevent access.”

An oversimplified explanation of DNS security is that everyone uses the Internet and that DNS security services actively disables employees, vendors and customers from being able to visit sites that are known to have been contaminated or malicious in nature. This safeguards all stakeholders and keeps company reputations strong by preventing hackers from ever reaching the data they wish to misuse.

DNS attacks have even reached major players in today’s business world. In fact, in 2016 there was a major DNS attack that shocked the world and captured everyone’s attention regarding the power of the issue. The Guardian reported that the attack was “…bringing down sites including Twitter, the Guardian, Netflix, Reddit, CNN and many others in Europe and the US.” The Guardian also added, “The cause of the outage was a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, in which a network of computers infected with special malware, known as a ‘botnet’, are coordinated into bombarding a server with traffic until it collapses under the strain.”

 

 

ABOUT GAGE

GAGE is a full-service telecommunication and IT services company that has helped businesses since 1980.  Founded in Baton Rouge, the company’s original mission continues today, which is to provide the very best products and services that enable its clients to increase their profitability, obtain a competitive advantage, and improve employee productivity. Gage has served the Louisiana business community for nearly 40 years through a culture of striving towards excellence and unparalleled commitment to customer service.

Gage works with companies of all sizes with business phone systems, computer networks, managed IT services, structured cabling and standby generators. The company conducts a complete needs analysis to ensure that each customer implements the right technology to meet their needs now and into the future.  Gage has been recognized with numerous industry awards and has become one of the region’s leading technology services companies.

For more information on Gage, please call (225) 753-4243 or visit www.gagetelephone.com

GDPR, New Cybersecurity Regulations on Horizon for Corporate America

October 4, 2018

 

Gage Advises Clients That GDPR Isn’t Far from the States

Baton Rouge, LA – October 4, 2018 – Gage, a leading managed technology services provider, is helping small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) navigate the recent changes in cybersecurity standards that are highly likely to affect American businesses. Many have heard about Facebook’s recent controversy around Cambridge Analytica and irresponsible data sharing policies. Marc Zuckerburg even testified in front of the EU in order address these major concerns and the result has been the passing and implementation of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which took effect in Europe in late May.

This new regulation demands transparency and responsible data practices on behalf of all companies that do business in the EU. Some examples of GDPR in effect are:

//  Requiring all subscribers to opt-in again to receiving all newsletters/marketing emails/etc. and

//  Companies need to report any major data breaches to all of their customers within 72 hours of the breach occurring. There are many more components to the regulation, however, the penalties for not adhering to these standards are in the millions.

This standard is very likely to reach the US marketplace and for most companies, this standard is already affecting their businesses. For example, if a business has any suppliers, customers, or satellite offices in countries located within the EU, they need to take a serious look at their data practices and make sure they are compliant. In time, many experts expect GDPR or some derivation of it to affect US-based businesses.

“We strongly believe data regulation is coming to the US marketplace – it’s certain that some form of cybersecurity regulation is imminent and severe penalties will follow businesses that aren’t compliant,” stated Jason Landry, VP of Sales of Gage.

“There’s simply been too many data breaches that have affected major companies like Dropbox and Target for regulation not to come. When it does, Gage’s proven cyber security program will play a major role in helping our customers meet these new regulations,” added Mr. Landry.

Cybersecurity has transitioned from the era where an enterprise could “play dumb,” expect a slap on the wrist, pay minor fines and resume business as usual. Cybersecurity is now a central pillar of any organization’s success or demise and with the stakes as high as they are now, SMBs need to address their data policies and practices immediately.

While most business owners dread the idea of spending time, energy and money on meeting a new compliance, the simultaneous opportunity is for businesses to leverage the expertise of Gage to lower their operating costs through the deployment of advanced technology to offset the new investments in cybersecurity that they will likely be required to make. Whether the organization is large or small, soaring or declining, it’s time to revisit cybersecurity policies today.

ABOUT GAGE

Gage is a full-service telecommunications and IT services company that has helped businesses since 1980. Founded in Baton Rouge, the company’s original mission continues today, which is to provide the very best products and services that enable its clients to increase their profitability, obtain a competitive advantage, and improve employee productivity. Gage has served the Louisiana business community for nearly 40 years through a culture of striving towards excellence and unparalleled commitment to customer service.

Gage works with companies of all sizes with business phone systems, computer networks, managed IT services, structured cabling and standby generators. The company conducts a complete needs analysis to ensure that each customer implements the right technology to meet their needs now and into the future. Gage has been recognized with numerous industry awards and has become one of the region’s leading technology services companies. Contact us to learn more.

Gage Partners with ID Agent to Heighten Cybersecurity

March 30, 2018

 

Leading Managed Services Technology Provider Joins Forces with Cybersecurity Leader to Optimize Cybersecurity for Business Owners

Baton Rouge, LA – March 30, 2018 Gage a leader in managed technology services, announced today that the company has partnered with ID Agent, to enhance the security of SMBs (small to mid-sized businesses) across the nation. ID Agent and this partnership will enable business owners, to prevent identity theft and thwart cybercriminals from gaining access to sensitive data.

“When owners are made aware of the threats and risks that are facing their business, they’re capable of bringing in the right infrastructure to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.”

“We’re thrilled to announce this partnership. It’s going to have a huge effect on the business owners we serve,” stated Jason Landry, VP of Sales of Gage. “This partnership allows business owners to get a very clear and immediate picture of how their cybersecurity is currently performing. When owners are made aware of the threats and risks that are facing their business, they’re capable of bringing in the right infrastructure to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. This partnership is so important because it gives a very clear picture of the company’s risks.”

The partnership between Gage and ID Agent will combine human and sophisticated Dark Web intelligence with search capabilities to identify, analyze and proactively monitor an organization’s compromised or stolen employee and customer data. Business owners will receive real-time alerts, so they can focus on running their organizations. This partnership will not only allow businesses to monitor the dark side of the web, but it also provides the option to monitor an organization’s supply chain, third party partners and vendors that may have access to sensitive data, as well.

“At the end of the day it’s all about protecting employees who don’t realize the threats they face when executing their day-to-day responsibilities,”

“At the end of the day it’s all about protecting employees who don’t realize the threats they face when executing their day-to-day responsibilities,” added Landry. “Employees who spend time browsing the Internet, who share their email passwords freely, or use unsecured, cloud-based tools to do their work may not necessarily realize all of the potential vulnerabilities facing their network. We consider it to be our duty to educate the marketplace on these types of solutions to prevent as many cyberattacks from happening as possible.”

About ID Agent

ID Agent provides Dark Web monitoring and identity theft protection solutions, available exclusively through the reseller channel, to private and public organizations and millions of individuals at risk of cyber incidents. Its flagship product, Dark Web ID, delivers Dark Web intelligence to identify, analyze and monitor for compromised or stolen employee and customer data, mitigating exposure to enterprise clients’ most valuable asset–their digital identity. The company’s SpotLight ID provides personal identity protection and restoration for employees and customers while enhancing their overall cybersecurity awareness as well as further safeguarding corporate systems. For more information, visit: https://www.idagent.com or go to LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

About Gage

Gage was established in 1980 by Gregory A. Wood, Sr. The company’s original mission continues today, which is to provide the very best products and services that enable its clients to increase their profitability, obtain a competitive advantage, and improve employee productivity. Gage has served the Baton Rouge and South Louisiana business community for nearly 30 years through a culture of striving towards excellence and unparalleled commitment to customer service.

Gage helps companies of all sizes simplify their technology decisions with straight answers about everything from business telephone systems and computer networking to VoIP and voicemail services. The company conducts a complete needs analysis to ensure that each customer implements the right technology to meet their needs now and into the future.

Gage has built a strong team of highly experienced and industry certified voice and data specialists. These individuals proactively assist customers through high level support and strive to exceed their expectations on a daily basis. The team is backed by a fleet of state-of-the-art service vehicles ready to respond to customer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. GAGE has distinguished itself from the competition by becoming one of the region’s leading telecommunications companies.

Contact Gage to learn more about how you can optimize cybersecurity in your business.