Category: Security

Department of Defense prepares rollout of national cybersecurity standards

DoD cybersecurity standards

By Tyler Greenwood, Vice President of Back To Business I.T. (originally published in the Dayton Business Journal)

Cyber incidents like the SolarWinds attack in 2019 and the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021 have the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) taking urgent action to strengthen national cybersecurity regulations.

A report released last November found most prime contractors (and their subcontractors) hired by the DoD in the last five years failed to meet minimum cybersecurity standards, putting U.S. national security at risk. Security gaps in the federal supply chain have been well known for years, but attempts to fix them have failed.

Enter: CMMC

In response to heightened security risks, the DoD introduced Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Its goal is to ensure any company involved in the federal supply chain is protecting controlled unclassified information.

Under CMMC guidelines, more than 300,000 contractors must meet 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, which the government sees as a reasonable cyber risk management approach. In addition, 80,000 of these organizations must complete a third-party assessment and certification to continue bidding on defense contracts.

When will CMMC certification be required?

The DoD is expected to release a final rule on CMMC framework by March 2023, which means contractors could start seeing requirements in RFPs/RFIs as early as May.

If your business is one of the 80,000 contractors that requires an outside assessment and certification, you may have less than a few months to do so. Failure to achieve compliance before the published rule could mean leaving money on the table and losing the ability to do business with the Department of Defense.

Getting started

If your company is still in the beginning stages of CMMC compliance, the time to act is now. Preparation and implementation of the following requirements can take upwards of 18 months. To get started on compliance, contractors should immediately:

  • Work toward meeting the 110 controls in NIST SP 800-171.
  • Identify their Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score.
  • Create a system security plan (SSP).
  • Document plans of action and milestones (POA&M) to demonstrate how you intend to close any gaps for controls not yet met.

Next steps

If your organization has already started on CMMC compliance, consider conducting a preliminary self-assessment to see if you satisfy requirements. This can provide a range of helpful information to ensure you have everything functioning as expected once you’re ready to formally self-attest or go for your official certification.

If your business wants consultative guidance, including assistance walking you through standards you didn’t meet, explaining why, and offering suggestions on closing those gaps, you might find it beneficial to work with a CMMC Registered Provider Organization (RPO), such as Back To Business I.T.

As a full-service I.T. firm and the region’s leading CMMC-AB RPO, Back To Business I.T. can help you achieve NIST SP 800-171 compliance as well as help you prepare your plan of action and milestones (POA&M) and system security plan (SSP) required for CMMC certification. Learn more at www.backtobusinessit.com/cmmc-readiness.

8 Spooky Cybersecurity Statistics To Help You Prepare For The Worst

cybersecurity statistics

A cyberattack is a scary event. It can shut down a business, cripple a government, and even incapacitate an entire country if the right measures aren’t taken to prevent it from happening.

THIS HALLOWEEN, WE BRING YOU EIGHT SPOOKY CYBERSECURITY STATISTICS THAT EMPHASIZE THE DANGERS OF CYBER THREATS AND URGE YOU TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST.
  1. 54% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) say their I.T. departments are not sophisticated enough to handle advanced cyberattacks. (Sophos)
  2. As of February 2022, there were 8.77 million new pieces of malware circulating the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile app stores. (AV-TEST)
  3. A ransomware attack takes place against a business every 14 seconds. (Cybersecurity Ventures)
  4. 91% of SMBs haven’t purchased cyber liability insurance, despite awareness of risk and the likelihood that they would be unable to recover from an attack. (Cybersecurity Magazine)
  5. Almost 89.7% of US businesses saw at least one successful cyberattack within a 12-month period. (CyberEdge Group)
  6. 53% of business leaders agree that remote work has made it much easier for hackers and cybercriminals to take advantage of them. (Norton)
  7. 50% of data breach incidents involve phishing and social engineering. (Trustwave)
  8. On average, only 5% of companies’ folders are properly safeguarded. (Varonis)

A large number of organizations still remain unprepared for a cyberattack – please be proactive and prepare now by contacting us – we can implement multi-factor authentication, roll out company-wide security training campaigns, and implement policies and procedures to help you keep your business and sensitive data protected. Don’t become a cybersecurity statistic!

What to Expect When Applying for Cyber Insurance

cyber insurance
Several years ago, cyber insurance was just an add-on to larger policy discussions, but with the rise of malicious online attacks, it’s jumped to the forefront and has become one of the most expensive policies under a company’s insurance coverage. Here’s how to ace your application and get the best rates.

Cybercrime is a multibillion-dollar industry. Even with careful security measures in place, it remains a constant struggle for businesses to stay one step ahead of hackers looking to extort them. Phishing emails, malware, security breaches, network security issues, and computer system breakdowns are just a few examples of the kinds of cyber risk that can cause serious liability or revenue loss. That’s why proper cyber liability insurance remains a vital risk-transfer tool for organizations of all sizes.

For businesses attempting to acquire cyber insurance, the application process itself can be daunting. Application forms aren’t standard and can be very complex — what used to be a seven-question application has evolved over the last few years into a multi-page document broken out into various categories. Truth be told, it can read less like an application and more like an audit questionnaire. (Check out a sample cyber insurance application here.)

Insurers want to be as thorough as possible when evaluating an organization’s cybersecurity infrastructure and deciding their level of risk. They depend on the detail contained in the application to determine how well the people, processes, and technology can protect and respond to cyber threats. Any vagueness or incorrect information can create major issues later on if (or when) a claim is filed.

If you’re planning on applying for cyber insurance, it’s important to identify your company’s cyber risks prior to submitting the application. Specifically, insurers will ask for:

  • The basics — What industry you operate in, as well as how much and what type of information your organization stores, processes, and transmits. In addition, underwriters want to see how you manage data security and who oversees cyber-related matters.
  • Information security — Do you have a formal program in place to test and audit security controls? Underwriters also typically look to see if you have basic controls in place, including firewall technology, anti-virus, and intrusion detection software.
  • Breach history — Have you been breached before? Is the data you house vulnerable? How effective are your data security techniques moving forward?
  • Data backup — Underwriters want to know if you back-up all your valuable data on a regular basis, if you utilize a redundant network, and if you have a disaster recovery plan in place.
  • Company policies and procedures — What type of cybersecurity and incident response policies do you have in place? For example, how do you handle password updates, the use of personal devices, and revoking network access to former employees?
  • Compliance with legal and industry standards — Failing to comply with cyber-related legislation can be incredibly costly, and insurers want to know how you handle compliance. Specifically, whether you are compliant with applicable regulatory frameworks, are a member of any outside security or privacy groups, or utilize out-of-date software and hardware.

Although the cyber insurance application is more rigorous than most insurance applications, you can secure the best rate by doing your due diligence and prepping ahead of time. Being honest about the risks and vulnerabilities your company may face from cyber threats will also help you get the right policy coverage.

Need help applying for cyber insurance or meeting specific criteria? Talk to an expert at Back To Business I.T. today!

CMMC 2.0 Updates

cmmc 2.0 updates

WHAT IS CMMC 2.0?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was introduced by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on January 31, 2020 to ensure the protection of sensitive unclassified information or controlled unclassified information (CUI).

Originally, the CMMC framework had five levels of cybersecurity maturity (basic to advanced/progressive) and affected more than 300,000 defense contractors. However, on November 4, 2021, the DoD formally announced the CMMC 2.0 framework. This updated version seeks to simplify the model and reduce compliance costs by streamlining the program and scaling back the requirement that all defense contractors obtain third-party certification of their cybersecurity capabilities. Under CMMC 2.0, about 80,000 contractors will have to undergo third-party assessments while contractors at non-critical CUI levels are able to self-certify. Additionally, contractors who are not yet in full compliance with applicable cybersecurity requirements will be permitted to perform less sensitive contracts if they make a Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) and commit to completing the remaining requirements within specified dates. These changes are reflected in the diagram below (published by the DoD):

WHAT ARE THE NEW LEVELS?

1️⃣ Level 1 (Foundational) only applies to companies that focus on the protection of federal contact information (FCI). It is comparable to the old CMMC Level 1. Level 1 will be based on the 17 controls found in FAR 52.204-21, Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information, and focus on the protection of FCI. These controls look to protect covered contractor information systems and limit access to authorized users.

2️⃣ Level 2 (Advanced) is for companies working with controlled unclassified information (CUI). It is comparable to the old CMMC Level 3. CMMC 2.0 Level 2 (Advanced) requirements will mirror NIST SP 800-171 and eliminate all practices and maturity processes that were unique to CMMC. Instead, Level 2 aligns with the 14 families of security requirements and 110 security controls developed by the National Institute of Technology and Standards (NIST) to protect CUI. Accordingly, the 20 requirements in the old CMMC Level 3 that the DoD had imposed were dropped, meaning that the new Level 2 (Advanced) is in complete alignment with NIST SP 800-171.  Identified within DoD contracts under DFARS 252.204-7012 clause.  DoD is still working to define the “critical” CUI information.

3️⃣ Level 3 (Expert) is focused on reducing the risk from Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). It is designed for companies working with CUI on the DoD’s highest priority programs, estimated to be about 600 companies. It is comparable to the old CMMC Level 5. The DoD is still determining the specific security requirements for the Level 3 (Expert), but has indicated that its requirements will be based on NIST SP 800-171’s 110 controls plus a subset of NIST SP 800-172 controls.

WHEN WILL CERTIFICATION BE REQUIRED?

The DoD is in the rulemaking process and negotiations with the CMMC Accreditation Body, which is expected to take an additional 9-24 months. While these rulemaking efforts are ongoing, the DoD is suspending mandatory CMMC certification, however, it is strongly recommending defense contractors act now and get CMMC assessed/certified to minimize the risk of DIB companies exposing sensitive unclassified information.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Defense contractors looking to start their CMMC compliance journey should look into meeting the 110 controls in NIST 800-171 as soon as possible, as preparation and implementation can take up to 18 months or more.

Not only can we help you achieve NIST-SP 800-171 compliance, but we can also perform a comprehensive gap analysis and determine your current SPRS score.  Then work with you on a plan to resolve areas of non-compliance. As a full-service I.T. firm, we can also implement solutions to address gaps so you are ready for CMMC certification and future audits.

CONCLUSION

CMMC 2.0’s cybersecurity standards will better arm the DoD in its efforts to defend against cyberattacks that threaten U.S. critical sectors. But it’s clear that the DoD cannot wait for CMMC 2.0 formalized assessments to improve cybersecurity in the Defense Industrial Base. While the CMMC 2.0 requirements work their way through the federal rulemaking process, enforcement of federal cybersecurity regulations governing defense contractors has stepped up. If you’re seeking future business with the Department of Defense, it’s important you get started on the compliance path right away.

5 Benefits of Co-Managed I.T.

Co-Managed I.T.

Managing the complexity of networks and servers, compliance standards, cybersecurity, application updates, software licenses and patches, hardware replacements, and more – all while trying to keep up-to-date with new technology and provide 24/7 support – is a lot to expect from one employee.

Let’s face it, your I.T. department is an essential and necessary part of your business, but even your most competent staff can’t do it all or know it all. That’s where co-managed I.T. comes into play.

Co-managed I.T. is a strategic model that blends the convenience of an internal I.T. team with the outside support of a managed service provider (MSP). It allows businesses to customize which I.T. services they provide in-house and determine where they can use an “extra pair of hands”.  For example, your existing I.T. team might manage software updates, installations, and cabling, but your external partner provides help-desk support and cybersecurity training.

For companies with limited internal resources, co-managed I.T. offers business agility and has significant cost and operational benefits. Here are the top five.

TOP 5 BENEFITS OF CO-MANAGED I.T.

  1. I.T. Expertise On-Demand – If you run into issues your employees have less experience resolving, your co-managed support team can provide their expertise. Opting to offboard some of the problems they don’t know how to fix internally is a great way to leverage MSPs’ expert resources. Not only is their focus on I.T. best practices, but they’ve seen a wide variety of issues, so they know how to handle and resolve pretty much anything.
  2. Increased Productivity – A co-managed service model typically covers routine maintenance, upgrades, and patches. Your systems will run more efficiently, resulting in fewer interruptions to operations. You’ll also benefit from additional support during peak “demand periods,” so your internal I.T. team doesn’t have to stop working on major projects for minor emergencies.
  3. Around-the-Clock Support – One of the most significant advantages of using a co-management I.T. model is offering round-the-clock support to customers outside of regular business operating hours. MSPs can also help cover things like sick or vacation time, eliminating the need to pay overtime or stagger your staff’s schedules.
  4. Better Security – Splitting the responsibilities of your I.T. infrastructure between you and a third-party company creates layers of security, making entry into your organization more difficult for bad actors. Many companies choose to keep their most crucial I.T. functions in-house while offloading the rest to a managed service provider. Additionally, because MSPs focus on industry standards for cybersecurity management, you can rest assured knowing that they take every precaution to keep your business data safe.
  5. Less Burnout and Boosted Employee Morale – Business insights, improved strategies, quicker response times, professional consultations, and decision support are empowering tools that can help to foster a more positive employee culture among your I.T. team. By giving them the resources they need to be successful, you create a work environment that promotes longevity and reduces burnout.

The right co-management partner can transform your existing I.T. team by resolving tickets faster, supporting your staff during off-hours or peak times, meeting unique project needs, and keeping up with changing market demands and technological advancements.

As the leading MSP in Dayton, we offer technology and compliance assessments, personalized insights and recommendations, access to the latest technology, and a robust suite of managed services. If you’re interested in co-managed I.T., we can help you navigate options and put together a package that’s right for you.

Call us at 937.490.5600 or contact our team of I.T. experts today to learn more.

Ransomware 3.0 | Cyber Risks in IoT Devices

news from microsoft

Ransomware 3.0

Ransomware attacks continue to get worse. They have now expanded to extort not just the companies, but also contractors and customers, in a “Triple Threat”. In addition to encrypting a victim company’s data, they will also exfiltrate, or download, copies of company data and emails. They will ask for one ransom to decrypt the computers, a second ransom to not make the stolen data public, and then the newest ransom attack. They reach out and present the data to customers, contractors, and business partners and demand a ransom from them in order to not have the data published. With phishing emails still being the number one attack vector for ransomware, be sure you have sufficient protection for your company. A combination of quality user education, phishing exercises and awareness campaigns, and system endpoint protections provides an in depth defense to this constantly evolving threat.

What does this mean for your business?

Back To Business I.T. has you covered. Our cybersecurity training programs are customized to meet the needs of your workforce and are designed to create a “human firewall” inside of your business. Building upon that, we offer state-of-the-art intrusion detection systems to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. Don’t become a cyber statistic. Contact our team today and get Back To Business.

LinkedIn breach could mean your information was exposed

Just when you thought you had seen it all, think again! LinkedIn is the latest victim of phishing attacks. According to USA Today, firms are stating that cyber attackers are now posing as “boring, authentic, cubicle-office dwellers.” On top of these reported phishing attempts, CyberNews reports that the cyber attackers have also scraped data from 500 million LinkedIn accounts. The information leaked includes LinkedIn IDs, full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and various other sensitive information. Due to the leak of information, customers may be susceptible to increased email and text spamming or phishing.

What does this mean for your business?

Tighten up your security measures, and encourage your employees to do the same. Be conscious of strangers requesting to follow your LinkedIn profile. Consider changing your password periodically. Enable two-factor authentication for your account if possible. This additional layer of security serves as another barrier between your information and bad actors on the internet.

Manufacturing systems and IoT devices present high risk

IOT and other embedded manufacturing systems can present a high risk to your data and operations if not properly secured. Basic security steps can greatly improve your overall risk posture. From doorbells and cameras to CNCs and additive manufacturing systems, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk and exposure of the business side of your operations.

What does this mean for your business?

Your network is unique, and your security measures should be too. Your manufacturing systems and devices should be protected using industry best practices. Preventative steps such as changing default passwords, keeping your systems properly patched, and separating crucial systems from the rest of your network can make the difference between a few minutes of down time, and your entire operations coming to a halt. Our team is experienced in manufacturing environments, and passionate about our clients’ security. Contact us today to learn what we can do for your operations.

Microsoft announces 24 new issues posing cybersecurity threats

Microsoft announced the discovery of 24 issues in a wide range of IoT and OT devices. These issues allow malicious individuals to execute code on or crash your devices. This affects a wide range if industrial, medical, and enterprise devices. It is vital to your security to have an active inventory of the assets on your network, monitor them for vulnerabilities, and patch them regularly.

What does this mean for your business?

Our team of experts stands ready to help your organization take care of risks inside your network that you might not know are there. Cyberattacks are at an all-time high…and getting worse every day. We are here to help!

Cybersecurity risks continue to evolve, and so do our tools to fight them. We are passionate about protecting small businesses, and stay up to date on technology and cybersecurity best practices. Contact us today and let us show you how our cybersecurity services can help your business stay safe in an uncertain world.

Call us at 937-490-5600 or Contact Us to learn more or get started.

Common Sense and Cybersecurity

Common sense and cybersecurity

Earlier this month, Colonial Pipeline’s operations came to a halt after a ransomware attack orchestrated by DarkSide, an Eastern European cybercriminal organization. It took several days after the May 7 attack for the company to begin restarting parts of their systems as well as the mainlines. The effects were widespread and felt by most of us – gas prices at the pump fluctuated almost immediately.

As a society, we are becoming increasingly desensitized to news like this. Cyberattacks happen so often, it seems, that it’s hardly news. So why is it that so many businesses still don’t take cybersecurity seriously? There’s a shroud of mystery surrounding cyber – the media portrays hackers as hooded criminals lurking in a dark room. And while cybercrime methods change constantly, there are measures companies and individuals can take to protect their data. Those steps aren’t mysterious; they’re not hidden. Maybe they’re so simple – so rooted in common sense – that it’s easy to overlook them, and dismiss their importance.

 “The problem with common sense is that it is not so common.”

Maybe it’s easy to dismiss simple ways to implement cybersecurity because “well, everyone knows to do that.” The truth is maybe not everyone knows. Maybe “common sense” isn’t as common as we would like to think. For example – do you lock your doors when you’re not home? Chances are you do. It’s one of the most basic things to prevent entry and protect what’s inside. One of the easiest ways to protect your business data is to password protect your computer systems. This most rudimentary of security measures, which costs nothing to implement is still not being used by many businesses.

Along the lines of common sense, let’s revisit the events following the Colonial breach. Gas prices increased, media coverage heightened awareness of a potential (temporary) shortage. Some people took to the pumps to fill up before it got worse. Others took more drastic measures, filling up plastic bags with gasoline. Common sense would tell (most of) us it’s a bad idea to fill a plastic bag with gasoline, but the truth is not everyone has the same thought process and the same information. So much so that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on social media that it was, in fact, a bad idea to fill plastic bags with gasoline.

This is an extreme case, most of us probably understand why it’s not a good idea to fill a bag with gasoline. But many businesses are doing the cybersecurity-equivalent of this, likely without realizing it. For example, if your company has data on computers that aren’t password-protected, or even protected by passwords such as “password1234” – that’s a potentially disastrous situation.

Cybersecurity: Start with common sense

Cybersecurity for your business doesn’t have to be complicated, unattainable, and cost-prohibitive. It would be irresponsible for us to reduce cybersecurity to just password-protecting your computers – but the truth is that you can start with simple steps like that. The password illustration is easy to understand but is by no means the gold standard as far as security measures go. Using common sense – perhaps the best of the senses – can help jumpstart your cyber approach. Your business technology is unique; your cybersecurity strategy should be unique, too. We can start where you are – whether that is as simple as password-protecting your systems or as complicated as monitoring network traffic for anomalies. Every business that uses technology in some way is vulnerable to cyberattacks, from pipelines to pop-up boutiques. Don’t wait until something disruptive brings your operations to a halt. Let’s start today.

Contact our team to talk about cybersecurity solutions for your business, from the tried-and-true to the cutting edge.

Cloudy with a Chance of Data Loss

cloud backup

What would happen if your company lost all of its email data? If you’ve yet to implement a backup solution for your Microsoft 365 data, you could be faced with that question if a cyber-incident occurs.

Over a million businesses use Microsoft 365 – chances are, you do too! By far the most popular productivity suite, this Microsoft product includes apps such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others, depending on your configuration. But did you know that Microsoft is not responsible for backing up the data on in your Microsoft 365 suite?

Why Microsoft 365 Customers Need a Backup Solution

Many business owners using Microsoft 365 believe that their data is totally secure. The reality, however, is a different story. Although Microsoft offers many benefits in productivity, efficiency, and collaboration with Microsoft 365, the company doesn’t provide users with a comprehensive backup system for their underlying data.

Mechanical malfunctions and physical damage, hacking and theft, user error, and power outages all put user data at risk in the cloud. Protecting data has never been more important – hackers are now attacking computers and networks at a rate of one attack every 39 seconds. While companies do their best to prepare for these problems, no plan is foolproof, and stories of data loss are far from rare, with the average data breach costing small businesses $149,000. Furthermore, 60% of small businesses close their doors within 6 months of a data breach.

Cloud Backup Saves Data, Time, and Money

The fact is that having only one copy of important data is asking for trouble, whether it’s stored in the cloud or elsewhere. If your data isn’t backed up, you could be facing not only a loss of productivity as you scramble to rebuild, but also a loss in revenue and reputation.

Microsoft 365 is an excellent service that gives you access to your data from virtually any place at any time — and across many devices. As a software-as-a-service (SaaS) built on the industry-leading Azure public cloud, Microsoft 365 offers users high reliability, geographic redundancy, and secure connectivity.

This should not, however, be confused with a comprehensive data protection solution. Microsoft does not back up Microsoft 365 user data, so it recommends that customers use third-party solutions. Furthermore, Microsoft doesn’t protect data from common issues like file corruption or everyday human error. Nor does it offer a way to easily revert to older versions if something goes wrong beyond their normal data retention policy.

Back To Business I.T. can help you evaluate your options in addressing these shortcomings and specifically discuss how implementing a backup solution can be cost-effective and seamless and offer peace of mind.

Our Cloud Backup Service Is Easy to Use, and Recovery Is Fast

Not all backups are created equal, however. When looking into a solution that can protect your data stored in the cloud, there are a few fundamental questions you should be asking your vendor:

  • What data is actually being backed up?
  • How is the backup data being stored and protected?
  • How often is data backed up, and for how long?
  • How easy is the data restoration process?

Our Cloud Backup Service is a flexible, agile, and reliable solution that offers comprehensive data protection across the full Microsoft 365 tenant, unlimited storage and retention of user data, and a hassle-free setup and run experience. Better yet, data-recovery means you can have peace of mind that your company can be up and running with minimum downtime.

There are several things to consider when selecting a cloud backup solution – and our team of experts can help with that! Our team can customize an approach that works for the company data that should be protected as well as other business and budgetary needs.

Contact our team today to learn about our Cloud Backup solution for your Microsoft 365 data!