Information technology blog, cybersecurity blog

You’ve probably seen or heard the term “managed service provider” or “MSP” in conversations or articles. “Isn’t that just a techie way of saying IT firm or IT consultant?”, you may have asked yourself. I hate to say it, but the short answer is “kind of”. Some companies will use the terms, “managed service provider”, “MSP”, “IT firm”, and “IT consultant” interchangeably. I get that it can be confusing especially because each of those terms has a different set of expectations that comes along with them.

Thrive Global recently conducted a Q&A with Kelser President Jim Parise as part of the outlet's series on “5 Things You Need to Know to Optimize Your Company’s Approach to Data Privacy and Cybersecurity.” The article also ran in Authority Magazine.

Senior consulting engineer Andrew Tyler was a panelist for a recent cybersecurity virtual forum presented by the Hartford Business Journal. The theme of the forum was how the pandemic has forced a change in the way many businesses approach cybersecurity in this new work-from-home world.

This isn’t news but cyber threats are a persistent issue for businesses and individuals alike in this day and age. If anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the threat landscape as cyber criminals are taking advantage of the related uncertainty and rapid transition to remote workforces and learning environments. In Connecticut, we saw that firsthand as a ransomware attack locked down the first day for Hartford Public Schools last month. The City of Hartford’s response was exemplary as they did many things right before, during, and after the attack, but it served as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of cyber criminals. With October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, I reached out to some cybersecurity and technology professionals for tips and insights to help you secure your businesses and home (as for many of us this year our home has become our office) in hopes of a more cybersecure tomorrow for everyone.

The world learned last week that the information of over 10 million hotel guests at MGM Resorts was obtained by hackers. The data breach is the result of a security incident that occurred last year, but the data was being shared in hacker circles recently and discovered and verified by ZDnet. Most of the data is limited to hotel stay info, addresses, and phone numbers dating back to 2017 and earlier. Since Kelser is a trusted, local managed service and cybersecurity provider, FOX61 News had Kelser CTO Jonathan Stone on following the breach to discuss what hackers can do with this type of apparently harmless information.

Hopefully you’re reading this on a device that is running an operating system other than Windows 7. If not, I have some bad news for you. You’re on your own.

IoT devices pose uniquely terrifying security threats. Just ask a Waterbury, Connecticut, family who was awakened and harassed by hackers accessing their Ring security cameras. As part of their coverage of this incident, WFSB Channel 3 news asked Kelser to offer some insight into how hackers may have gotten access, and what can be done to secure IoT devices.

In case you haven’t heard, October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Perhaps you’ve already checked out some tips and best practices to help keep you more secure. If you haven’t, not to worry as we have you covered with a roundup of tips and resources from our experts. If you have, you might find additional valuable cybersecurity awareness info below!