Cybercrime is big business. Cybercrime costs the global economy an estimated $575 billion; $100 billion of which comes from the US. The Unites States is the #1 country for cybercrime, and every person and business is a target. We are exploring the world of cybercrime and providing you with resources to protect your business.
- They aren’t computer nerds; they are the country’s most wanted criminals
If you think hackers are computer nerds in their mothers’ basements, this illusion puts you at risk. Just like any other crime, there are smalltime offenders and largescale operations. The FBI’s #1 wanted man has managed to gain access to millions of computers with a ransomware attack that captured banking information and robbed Americans of more than $100 million.
- Most computers are vulnerable
Ninety-nine percent of computers are equipped with some of the most vulnerable software. If Adobe or Java sound familiar to you, you are at-risk. These programs are especially susceptible to exploit kits. Cognoscape identifies these susceptible programs, recommends patches, and scans for threats minute to minute. Cognoscape will also ensure the computer system and software are up-to-date.
The most expensive attack ever cost $38.5 million. Do you remember the MyDoom worm from 2004? MyDoom originated in Russia and was sent to millions of users via a junk email disguised as a legitimate message. Once users clicked on the link, the worm invaded. The worm’s main goals were to provide backdoor access to the systems to permit remote control, and it would do a direct denial of service.
These types of attacks are dangerous because they access personal information and take over control in the system. Cognoscape’s security risk audit considers the threat of such attacks and looks for current hot spots and security gaps to prevent an intrusion. Cognoscape provides strategies for continued defense and constant monitoring to identify and prevent attacks on the systems.
- The more you ‘like’ and ‘share,’ the more you attract criminals
Social media is a hotbed for criminal activity. Think about it; people share everything about themselves, they click on links, watch videos, tag their friends in any post that looks attractive, and invite friends to like pages to earn incentives. Fake ‘like’ buttons cause users to download malware, links to reputable sites are hijacked with links to malicious sites and downloads, criminals phish for sensitive information, and social spam exposes thousands of users to dangerous content.
Cognoscape’s security risk audit looks at the social media practices within the organization as well as monitors social media activity to protect the business from intrusive programs that may not be identified by the user. Cognoscape makes recommendations for monitoring and social media best practices, and protects the business’s links to insulate the company from social media criminals.
- People on the inside want to get you
Companies are staffed by people, and people are the ones who make the errors, are tricked into providing sensitive information, and who have malicious intentions. It is estimated that 59% of fired employees or employees who quit take company data with them when they leave.
A Cognoscape audit looks at the company’s current password strategies and management, backup and recovery solutions, file sharing practices, and permissions to protect businesses from disgruntled employees.
- You won’t get your money back
Sadly, cybercrime is the most expensive crime, and it is a near-perfect crime. It is hard to detect the offenders, and all businesses and users are targets. The average time to detect a threat is nearly 6 months and the average cost in the US is $12.7 million a year. Sixty-eight percent of cybercrime costs are unrecoverable. The best thing for businesses to do is to see where their vulnerabilities lie, how they can prevent and protect, and how they can establish a system of constant monitoring. A security risk assessment does that and much more. Businesses that spend the money now to assess and protect their systems save thousands—or millions—in the future.
Cognoscape, LLC Appoints New Sales Executive and CTO
/in Company News, Press Releases /by CognoscapeCognoscape has announced that Scott Berg has joined the organization as Director of Sales to further enhance their IT Managed Services offerings by adding high quality Voice and VoIP solution offerings and Carrier Services. Scott brings more than 30 years of IT and Telecom consulting experience to Cognoscape with a keen ability to provide clients with solutions that meet their specific needs while negotiating better deals with telecom providers on their behalf.
Also announced is the promotion of Thomas Pierson from Manager of Service Delivery to CTO. Thomas is responsible for overseeing the service delivery and technology departments. His vision and experience when it comes to implementing and managing technology solutions will be utilized to drive efficiency and quality of services offered by Cognoscape, LLC.
Cognoscape, LLC has historically focused on data services as part of their IT Managed Services offering, but with the addition of Scott and promotion of Thomas, the company will now focus on providing both high quality Voice solutions as well as the Data solutions and services companies have become accustomed to receiving since 2008.
Cognoscape, LLC is a full-service IT Managed Services Provider that specializes in enhancing business processes, keeping company data and equipment secure, and improving the bottom line through the use of technology. Cognoscape, LLC has the unique ability to serve clients in two essential technology areas. Those areas focus on business continuity and helping organizations transform their companies into ones that utilize technology as an asset.
Contact
Scott Berg
214-250-6541
sberg@cognoscape.com
4 Business Tips for the Modern World
/in Uncategorized /by CognoscapeIn today’s world, businesses enter a harsh arena every day. The challenges that face owners are staggering and constantly changing. So how do you stay competitive while keeping your employees and your customers in focus? Here are four simple things to keep in mind for running a 21st Century business.
When it comes to business, it’s easy to get too focused on minute details. Everything seems important. It shows your commitment and your passion, but it can also lead to some shortsighted decisions. This is made all the more complicated if you have clients or customers in the picture making even more demands on your time and attention.
The key is to make sure that you’re occasionally taking a step (or three) back to look at the entire picture. Often this means hiring the right managers. Having the opportunity to keep track of how the many pieces of your business work together is essential.
This ability to see how systems actually affect each other is critical when it comes to Information Technology. These days, too many businesses think that buying a new platform or productivity suite or cloud-based database is going to make all of the difference. It’s a natural temptation and in some cases it can boost your output.
Here’s the problem with technology: without the right workforce matchup, it’s a tool without a user. Always build IT systems and additions off of your core needs regarding your employees or your customers. If there isn’t a clear problem your tech is solving, it may not be the right tech.
So what is the right tech? With new options coming out every day, the right tech threads the needle between smart complexity and elegant simplicity. More than ever before, businesses are in the driver’s seat of function. Open source programs like Google’s or adaptive platforms like Office 365 give tremendous control to how that technology gets tailored and used.
The main thing to avoid is overcomplicating your infrastructure. Make sure that as you’re adding that much-needed functionality, it isn’t bloated or needlessly tangled with a host of new procedures.
Lastly, in a world that is obsessed with technology and moving faster and with greater efficiency, be sure not to lose sight of the old ways. It’s true that analytics can cut down the time it takes to find a qualified applicant or new customer preferences, but the human side is what will make the difference. Don’t rely solely on testing for the same reason you wouldn’t hire someone sight unseen because they have a diploma. Make sure what you add works on a human level as well as a big data level.
Facts About Cyber Security
/in IT Security /by CognoscapeCybercrime is big business. Cybercrime costs the global economy an estimated $575 billion; $100 billion of which comes from the US. The Unites States is the #1 country for cybercrime, and every person and business is a target. We are exploring the world of cybercrime and providing you with resources to protect your business.
If you think hackers are computer nerds in their mothers’ basements, this illusion puts you at risk. Just like any other crime, there are smalltime offenders and largescale operations. The FBI’s #1 wanted man has managed to gain access to millions of computers with a ransomware attack that captured banking information and robbed Americans of more than $100 million.
Ninety-nine percent of computers are equipped with some of the most vulnerable software. If Adobe or Java sound familiar to you, you are at-risk. These programs are especially susceptible to exploit kits. Cognoscape identifies these susceptible programs, recommends patches, and scans for threats minute to minute. Cognoscape will also ensure the computer system and software are up-to-date.
The most expensive attack ever cost $38.5 million. Do you remember the MyDoom worm from 2004? MyDoom originated in Russia and was sent to millions of users via a junk email disguised as a legitimate message. Once users clicked on the link, the worm invaded. The worm’s main goals were to provide backdoor access to the systems to permit remote control, and it would do a direct denial of service.
These types of attacks are dangerous because they access personal information and take over control in the system. Cognoscape’s security risk audit considers the threat of such attacks and looks for current hot spots and security gaps to prevent an intrusion. Cognoscape provides strategies for continued defense and constant monitoring to identify and prevent attacks on the systems.
Social media is a hotbed for criminal activity. Think about it; people share everything about themselves, they click on links, watch videos, tag their friends in any post that looks attractive, and invite friends to like pages to earn incentives. Fake ‘like’ buttons cause users to download malware, links to reputable sites are hijacked with links to malicious sites and downloads, criminals phish for sensitive information, and social spam exposes thousands of users to dangerous content.
Cognoscape’s security risk audit looks at the social media practices within the organization as well as monitors social media activity to protect the business from intrusive programs that may not be identified by the user. Cognoscape makes recommendations for monitoring and social media best practices, and protects the business’s links to insulate the company from social media criminals.
Companies are staffed by people, and people are the ones who make the errors, are tricked into providing sensitive information, and who have malicious intentions. It is estimated that 59% of fired employees or employees who quit take company data with them when they leave.
A Cognoscape audit looks at the company’s current password strategies and management, backup and recovery solutions, file sharing practices, and permissions to protect businesses from disgruntled employees.
Sadly, cybercrime is the most expensive crime, and it is a near-perfect crime. It is hard to detect the offenders, and all businesses and users are targets. The average time to detect a threat is nearly 6 months and the average cost in the US is $12.7 million a year. Sixty-eight percent of cybercrime costs are unrecoverable. The best thing for businesses to do is to see where their vulnerabilities lie, how they can prevent and protect, and how they can establish a system of constant monitoring. A security risk assessment does that and much more. Businesses that spend the money now to assess and protect their systems save thousands—or millions—in the future.
Using an IT Managed Services Provider to Assist Your IT Department
/in IT Support, Managed Services /by CognoscapeIn this digital era, it is critical that a business of any size hire IT experts to take care of all their technology needs. When it’s late at night and you’re suddenly dealing with files that won’t open, or there are errors showing up on a black screen, a company needs that IT support in place to keep running efficiently. Otherwise, it is wasted time and money trying to find someone at the last minute to fix the critical problems.
It is always helpful to have an in-house IT team in place, but that situation can be improved upon. Many companies are now supplementing their already existing IT staff with an IT managed service provider (MSP). While initially there can be fear on the part of the in-house team that they are being replaced, the idea is more about forming a partnership to make the business run even better and show more profits. Here are a few of the benefits of using IT managed services to assist your IT department:
Less Risk
Small and medium businesses usually only have the money to hire a small internal IT staff. When the company can supplement with an outside IT Managed Services Provider, it eliminates the dependencies on those individuals. For example, if their in-house IT guy gets sick, the bosses don’t have to panic when a problem arises. Additionally, capabilities and knowledge that are domain-specific can be handled by the MSP who may have more of a handle on them. IT managed services providers deal with compliance and informations security, as well as offer 24/7 monitoring and maintenance of your system, reducing downtime. Your IT staff won’t waste precious time solving every security issue that pops up and your staff won’t have their day interrupted.
An IT Managed Services Provider Helps With Healthy Scheduling
With an IT managed services provider on board, your current IT team will be able to work a regular, 5-day work week and not get burnt out with calls at night and on the weekends. This is because the MSP will be doing that monitoring during non-business hours and take care of them while the office is closed. This makes for a more productive and happy IT team that can focus on other important aspects of the business.
Save Money
Save money by adding more IT support? Yes, it will happen. If your consider the true economics of IT expenses, (vendor, in-house, hidden costs) they are generally much higher than anticipated. When you transfer tasks to IT managed services with best automation, processes and practices, your in-house IT resources can be unburdened and focus on more important activities that help your company grow and increase profits.
Best of Both Worlds
Whether your company is growing or not, your in-house IT employees have worked closely with your business and have a very good idea of how it runs. You have established personal relationships with them, and they have a firm understanding of your customer base and how you market. That type of relationship cannot be duplicated. It offsets the fact that the MSP team will provide standard IT knowledge, without the personal touch. This lets the company direct their existing IT staff in more useful and necessary directions.
Contact us with any questions you have about adding IT managed services to your company and one of our knowledgeable team members will give you all the information you need.
Special thanks to TriDigital for our custom IT marketing
The Revolutionary New Piece of Gun Technology
/in Misc. /by CognoscapeTechnology has changed the way people do everything, from communicating with others to purchasing products – and now to how guns are used.
Google has announced that they are in the testing phase of a cutting-edge new gun technology that supporters believe is the coolest thing to happen to guns since Smith and Wesson came out with the J-Frame.
The app, which has been aptly dubbed ShotView, will allow those who use it to shoot with precision around corners and from unsupported positions and behind barricades, as long as they are using the proper firearm. There’s no denying the benefits that ShotView will provide for military; however, the average gun user won’t have the opportunity to get their hands on the app. That’s because Tracking Point, the company behind the app, said that at present time, they do not intend to offer the Google Glass app to consumers. However, don’t get too frustrated if you’re a gun fan because you can download the same app to utilize with your tablet or your smartphone.
How Does It Work?
You’re probably wondering how this cutting-edge gun technology works. According to Tracking Point’s description of ShotView, the scope of the gun that will be utilized is outfitted with a camera, which then streams video through a device that is hooked up to WiFi (Google Glass). In other words, the app streams videos in real time from the Heads Up Display of the PGF to your device. The result? – The ability to shoot with the same precision of advanced fighter jets, even for the novice shooter.
ShotView Features
This precision-guided technology boasts several features that are intended to provide shooters with accuracy like they have never seen before. Some of the impressive features of this gun technology include:
How It’s Used
At first glance, it may seem like ShotView is difficult to operate; however, in actuality, it couldn’t be easier to use. Once your gun has been outfitted with the technology, all you have to do is press the tag button, which will allow you to select your impact point. Once aligned, you will then be able to align your shot with a tag. Simply pull the trigger and leave the rest of the work to the gun, which will direct the bullet toward your designated point of impact and will hit it with exact precision.
ShotView has really changed the way that gun users shoot their guns, helping to reduce missed shots and hit their target on the first try.
What are your thoughts on this gun technology?
The Business Benefits of One-On-One IT Consulting
/in IT Outsourcing /by CognoscapeIn the world of business, if you want to stand out against the competition an information technology (IT) system that supports your goals is vital to your success. However, while this component of your business is crucial, it can be difficult to maintain on your own. Between developing your products and services, attending to the needs of your customers and handling all of the other aspects of your business, finding the time that is needed to invest in your IT system may be virtually impossible. Additionally, you may not have the in-depth knowledge that is required for managing your system.
Hiring a full-time IT department is certainly an option, but it can be extremely expensive to maintain, especially if yours is a small business. That doesn’t mean that you have to forego the expert advice and knowledge of professional IT development. Outsourcing the task to an IT consulting professional who works off-site is a much more cost effective option and can be extremely beneficial for your business.
Here’s a look at how an off-site personal IT consultant can aid your business and boost your success.
Expert IT Support
When you hire a personal IT consultant, you’ll have the expertise of a professional, knowledgeable and experienced expert on your side. This individual will be able to keep you abreast of the latest advances in the world of information technology.
Information technology is constantly changing and in order keep up with these changes and stay ahead of your competition, you need to be kept in the loop. A personal IT consultant will be able to provide you with the information you need so that you can make the best and most informed decisions regarding IT for your business.
More Time to Focus on Your Business
When you have a professional IT consultant managing this aspect of your business, you will have more time to focus on the core functions of your business. In other words, you’ll be able to spend more time doing what you know best – developing your business and connecting with clients. If you’re an accountant, for example, you’ll be able to focus your energy on acquiring more clients and providing them with your undivided attention.
It’s Cost Effective
You will be able to better manage your IT costs. Employing an in-house IT department can become quite costly. When you outsource the job, you can keep better control over the amount that you spend. That savings can be put right back into your business, which will significantly increase your bottom line.
Less Downtime
Imagine if a potential client was to visit your website and find that it was down. You could lose that client, and losing just one prospective customer can significantly impact your success. With a consultant managing the IT side of your business, you’ll have less downtime, which means that your current and your prospective clients will always have access to your website.
The Latest in Military Technology
/in Technology /by CognoscapeThe military has the best toys – things we could only imagine in our wildest dreams. The military creates, tests and deploys technology toys, from lucrative spy planes to robotic companions, the military is making astonishing advancements. Check out the latest in military technology we know about so far, and remember, these are only what they allow us to see.
Self-Steering Ammunition
Remember the days of Looney Tunes when the bullets maneuvered around corners to find their intended targets? Well, the military has employed a similar technology. Military snipers in war zones face challenging conditions that reduce visibility and make it difficult to hit moving targets, so DARPA created self-steering bullets, EXACTO, that increase target accuracy. The technology uses optical guidance to change the bullet’s intended course, regardless of poor visibility or interference.
Exoskeleton
The military has been playing with exoskeletons for a variety of functions. One of the newest exoskeleton technologies is the Army’s shot-stabilizing design. Sensors and a series of cables ensure the soldier’s arm is steady and ready to improve accuracy of every shot fired. The MAXFAS, Mobile Arm Exoskeleton for Firearm Aim Stabilization, senses trembling and steadies the shot, without restricting the soldier’s ability to move the arm and shoot at other targets. The device permits soldiers to shoot as far away as more than three football fields. The accuracy can save ammunition, improve response time and accuracy, and possibly save lives as well.
Cheetah Robot
Last month, MIT revealed the military-funded DARPA Cheetah robot. The robotics lab created a robotic companion that runs and jumps over hurdles. The Cheetah is capable of tackling multiple hurdles autonomously, and it can run while untethered. While running, the 70-lbs robotic Cheetah can scale 18-inch hurdles at 5 miles per hour, and the speed increases to 13 miles per hour when on a flat surface.
You may remember the robotic pack mule form 2012 that Boston Dynamics developed to carry combat gear for soldiers across rugged terrain, dense foliage and across long distances.
Artificial Limbs for Wounded Vets
The military is also concerned about the vets that make it home with debilitating injuries. DARPA is currently working on an artificial limbs project that would restore limb use to many vets who faced amputation on the battlefield. The HAPTIX project, Hand Proprioception and Touch Interfaces, is engineering a prosthesis that works directly with the body’s nervous system and the vet’s brain. Just as we use our brain to move and feel objects, so would vets who suffered limb-loss. A challenge with limb loss is phantom limb pain, and DARPA hopes to eliminate the pain and loss of use. The limb is designed to feel natural and to be worn at all times. The limb technology allows vets to live comfortable lives and others to return to service if they desire.
Dropbox Isn’t As Secure As You Think
/in Cloud /by CognoscapeShocking, right? Where does such a bold claim come from? Dropbox services over 100,000 businesses and 300,000,000 users. The company reports users upload over 1 billion files every 24 hours, and 97% of Fortune 500 companies utilize some form of the service. What do the millions of users need to know about Dropbox? Dropbox is not as secure as you think.
Let’s Talk About the Issues
Claims about security lapses are nothing new to Dropbox. A “potential” security lapse occurred in 2011 when users could access other accounts without passwords, followed by a handful of ambiguous statements made by the company when the event occurred, to the 2012 intrusion that resulted in Dropbox users being spammed. Not to mention the appointment of Condoleezza Rice in 2014, the very person who worked under an administration that supported and encouraged NSA data-collection strategies.
In 2014, Dropbox faced yet another black eye. In October 2014, rumors circulated the Internet warning of a data breach within Dropbox. Although the research proving a data beach simply did not exist, as the original announcement was posted on Pastebin, the damage was done. An anonymous entry on Pastebin suggested that the hacker had access to login information and credentials for over 7 million Dropbox users. The claims consumed the Internet like a firestorm, which promoted Dropbox to release a statement about the “hack.” The company outright dismissed the claims, saying the claims “weren’t true.” Dropbox reassured the media, the clients, and the naysayers that the email accounts listed for sale were not associated with active Dropbox accounts.
What is the Takeaway?
So if Dropbox backs up each issue with confidence and claims that the service is in fact safe, what is the takeaway from all of this? What can Dropbox tell you about your own privacy, your cloud-based accounts and your vulnerability? The answer: You never know. What Dropbox should teach users is that cloud-based services must provide maximum protection as well as transparency. How can you keep yourself and your data safe?
Benefits of Network Security
/in Data Protection, Information Security /by CognoscapeYou’ve spent countless hours, days, months, maybe even years building your business…what if everything you had worked for was ruined because of a security breach? All it takes is one bad security breach and you’re out of business. This is why your company needs CognoSecurity. Let’s look at the benefits of network security.
Reduced Stress
With CognoSecurity you will never lose sleep over stressing about your business’ security. We will handle everything so that you don’t have to. Now you have more time to focus on making your business even more successful, because you know it’s safe with CognoSecurity.
Decreased Risk
Think about all of the risks you’re taking without having your business protected by network security. Are you willing to risk your business’ reputation? What about your data? Or even your entire company? If not, you need network security to make sure none of these things are put at risk.
Disaster Recovery
Unexpected things happen – that’s just life. But wouldn’t it be nice to be prepared for the unexpected? Well, with CognoSecurity you can be. When disaster strikes, CognoSecurity will help your business recover quickly, whether you’ve suffered a security breach, natural disaster, or anything else that might happen.
Increased Productivity
When you aren’t stressing over network security issues and security breaches, you and your employees can focus on the business’ success. You’ll become more productive and you’ll also save your hardware and software from any potential harm caused by security breaches.
Ready to protect your business from harm? Let’s talk today about your business’ security needs.
How Technology Makes For Safe Smartguns
/in Misc., Technology /by CognoscapeThere is a great divide when it comes to guns. After the devastating Newtown massacre that left 20 elementary students dead, the debate over gun control became heated, with a call for more safety. Gun enthusiasts argue that firearms are safe when the owner is properly trained, while those opposed feel we need stricter laws. Whether you’re anti-gun or a card carrying member of the NRA, there is one thing everyone can agree on: guns in the wrong hands make them exponentially more dangerous. It could be a child or criminal that makes the gun turn even more deadly because of lack of experience and malicious intentions, respectively. Smartguns may be the answer to increased firearm safety.
About Smartguns
The idea behind Smartgun technology is that the gun will only be able to fire if it is in the hands of the registered user. We’ve seen this innovation in movies, but the truth is that this technology exists. Grip pattern detection and biometrics can discern whether the person firing the gun is the registered owner, who are the only ones able to fire it.
An Irish company, TriggerSmart, has already patented a smartgun that has been deemed childproof. This weapon has a component on it that works in conjunction with a “safe zone” feature, created to be set up in schools. A force field is activated that disables any TriggerSmart gun that enters that safe zone. The founder of the company has been having difficulty getting people to buy into this idea.
More About Smartgun Technology
Since around 2000, New Jersey Institute of Technology has been one of the earliest developers of smartgun technology. They use Dynamic Grip Recognition, made up of 32 sensors in the grip. Much like voice recognition technology, the grip is trained to recognize a specific persons holding pattern profile, so it can decipher between users who are authorized or unauthorized to use the weapon.
The Debate
While the idea is well intentioned, smart guns have been met with much opposition. Owners who have guns in their home for self-defense argue that smartguns are not sufficient for protection. Experts on fingerprint readers and the like are well aware that these devices, built for convenience are not reliable enough to bet your life on their ability to work 100% of the time.
The technology, which involves a computer chip that is supposed to read a palm print, radio wave or other form of identification is having difficulty being made. When the gun is being used in an area close to gasses, gunpowder explosions and lead particles, there will be interference affecting how accurate the smartgun will work. There has also been the idea brought up that if the guns get too smart, could they get hacked into? Since the technology is not completely reliable, it has not been recommended yet for law enforcement, but rallied for in home use. Time will tell if we start to get smarter guns.