New cybersecurity guidelines could deliver positive impacts for your business

Last month, the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a new plan to coordinate the operational cyber defense capabilities of more than 100 federal agencies. 

The Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) Operational Cybersecurity Alignment (FOCAL) plan is a dense document. But its broad aim is clear: to help large federal agencies synchronize cybersecurity strategies, improve communications, and mitigate risk. It’s a goal that all organizations—private or public, big or small, located across North America—should consider. 

Cybersecurity experts anticipate that the recommendations in the FOCAL plan will eventually filter down into the broader business community. FOCAL covers five areas of daily activities and processes: asset or device management, vulnerability assessment, architecture protection, supply chain risk mitigation, and incident response.  

Of course, anyone who’s struggled with IT issues will tell you that it’s difficult to make a positive impact on just one of those five areas. Implementing a strategy like FOCAL requires an investment in time, money, and training. The broad scope of the plan could pose problems for large federal agencies—not to mention smaller businesses looking to improve their day-to-day cybersecurity situation.

A different kind of support.

That’s what sets an IT provider like CMIT Solutions apart. We deliver enterprise-level technology support worthy of a Fortune 500 company—at a price any company can appreciate. We combine the best of both worlds: every CMIT office across North America is independently owned and operated by a member of the local community. But every office is also part of a nationwide network of more than 250 locations and 800 technicians.

Here’s what we do differently to deliver cybersecurity solutions:

• A proactive approach to IT support. Instead of waiting around to react to technology problems, good IT support means keeping a 24/7 watch on desktops, laptops, mobile devices, networks, servers, printers, and other devices. That way, if a problem is detected, it can be isolated and solved before it affects a company’s important data. A proactive approach also helps to eliminate downtime and empower employees to do their best work.
• Multi-layered protection tools. In today’s dangerous online world, a basic firewall isn’t enough. Elite-level support includes anti-virus, anti-malware, web filtering, IP traffic analysis, and other layered network security solutions that can create a protective “umbrella” around your systems. You might not “see” these services, but they play a critical role in protecting your business from viruses, data breaches, hacks, and ransomware attempts.
• Automated software updates and security patches. New operating system updates seem to arrive every week, while lapses in application subscriptions can prevent users from accessing necessary files. Reliable IT support should perform regular system checks and roll out updates that minimize disruptions, ensuring your business operations run smoothly without unexpected interruptions.
• Real-world solutions to real-world problems. Many IT companies tailor their offerings to the demands of vendors or the whims of revenue-generating propositions. However, cybersecurity services should match the actual issues faced by your business—not the hypothetical problems that might come up at some point in the future. Good IT support should help you identify your struggles and pain points and then solve those problems through the targeted deployment of functional tools that can help your business run better.
• Compliance for every industry. If your business operates in a sensitive industry like healthcare, finance, or legal, compliance with state and federal regulations is a must. From secure data storage and transmission to encryption, eradication, backup, and disaster recovery, a reliable IT provider should go the extra mile to ensure that your business is up to speed with industry and government requirements. That can protect you from civil and criminal penalties and reputational damage.
• Training and education to support the human element of IT. Computers, networks, and devices are the bread and butter of any IT company. However, often forgotten in the conversation on cybersecurity are the employees who use those devices day in and day out. Comprehensive training, acceptable use policies, ongoing education, and real-world simulations are important to bolster your first line of cybersecurity defense—the people who work for your company.
• Flexible, around-the-clock support. From tiny two-person companies to diverse businesses with more than 100 employees spread across multiple time zones, trusted IT support should meet every need (and every budget). Dynamic solutions can scale up or down with your business, providing support at every stage of growth. And new industry insights like those in the FOCAL plan can be assessed to see which have the potential to positively impact your organization.

At CMIT Solutions, our mission is to deliver real-world solutions that address the specific challenges of today’s businesses. Our team of seasoned professionals is dedicated to providing top-tier IT support, helping your business to run smoothly and efficiently. With more than 250 offices and 800 technicians across North America, we deliver IT support differently than the competition.

We think of ourselves as a trusted partner invested in your company’s success. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on proactive, personalized service, we’re here to support your business every step of the way. 

If you’re ready to elevate your IT game with cybersecurity best practices and data protection that makes a difference, contact CMIT Solutions today. We handle IT headaches so you can focus on business success.