In our last piece we gave a detailed discussion on why it is important for businesses to make sure that their IT service company is regularly testing their own security and taking proactive steps to ensure it. The interconnectivity of digital systems means that a vulnerability in one area can have cascading effects across an entire network and the supply chain, which includes the businesses that IT companies are meant to protect!
There, we outlined that we stand out from most other IT companies in holding tabletop simulations that put our own security and responding protocols to the test, in this article we give you some more insight into what’s involved, how we do it and the importance of these exercises.
A Quick Recap: How Your Cyber Security Vendors Can Be a Risk for Your Business
A cornerstone responsibility of an IT support provider is to safeguard the integrity of their client’s IT systems. This role extends beyond just applying security measures, it involves deep, continuous monitoring and management of their digital environment to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. However, if their own tools get compromised, this can turn into a powerful weapon for cybercriminals.
The recent increase in supply chain attacks, where hackers target less secure elements in a supply chain to access larger networks, illustrates this risk vividly. It’s therefore paramount that a business IT service provider not only focuses on external cybersecurity threats but also fortifies its own systems from infiltration by today’s cyber bad guys.
We minimize this risk by holding tabletop exercises that simulate attacks on our own business. Surprisingly, this is something that most IT service companies are not doing.
While we have confidence that our cyber security frameworks and tools are robust, we also follow the principle that assumption is the mother of all screw ups. Tier 3 IT is no exception to this, so we put our beliefs to the test and take a scientific approach to our cyber security, here’s how we do it.
Simulating Cyber Attacks: How We Test Our Internal Security
Firstly, we create a controlled replica of our IT environment to prevent any actual impact to our business and clients. We then simulate a range of cyber-attack scenarios on this environment and test its integrity against these attacks, and our own team’s incident response.
To do these exercises, we effectively ‘lock’ ourselves in a room, simulate network attacks and action our incident response plans against them, and document technical and process improvements that we can make to improve our IT environment’s integrity further, as well as the speed, quality and thoroughness of our responses.
This is also an invaluable opportunity for education in our team for both long-term and newer staff alike at Tier 3 IT. By holding these exercises regularly and coordinating and refining our processes, we also maintain an exceptional cyber security culture.
We simulate the attacks across the full spectrum of our network, thus testing out our:
· Employee awareness and readiness
· Network security
· Device security
· Application security
· Cloud infrastructure
· Endpoint security
· Remote access policies
The Benefits of Vendor Cyber Incident Simulations for Businesses
We think that all IT companies should be taking the time to regularly test their defences, not only because its best practice but also because the consequences can be critical if a cyber threat does hijack an IT companies’ own tools and data.
The benefits of these simulated exercises are wide ranging. Firstly, they serve as a critical tool for continuous learning and improvement. By regularly testing our defences against simulated attacks, we’re able to pinpoint vulnerabilities or weaknesses in our systems and processes, and then address them with new measures and improved processes.
Finally, we just think it’s the right thing to do! It’s a win-win, we empower ourselves, our staff, and our clients to operate more securely with these exercises. We want our clients and partners to have confidence that we’re taking every step we can to practice what we preach, giving them peace of mind to focus on delivering for their customers and growing.
Tier3 IT Solutions – Your Premier IT Support Provider in Edmonton
Looking for top-tier IT support in Edmonton, Alberta? Look no further than Tier3 IT Solutions. As the foremost IT support company in the region, we specialize in delivering tailored solutions designed to address the specific requirements of businesses in Edmonton and beyond. Our seasoned team of technicians is dedicated to providing prompt help desk support and maintaining a proactive stance towards IT management.
At Tier3 IT, we understand the importance of a robust technology infrastructure for your business. That’s why we offer a comprehensive suite of services ranging from network monitoring and cybersecurity to cloud solutions and data backup. With Tier3 IT at your side, rest assured that your technology needs are in capable hands.
Experience unmatched reliability and efficiency with Tier3 IT Solutions. Contact us today to learn more about how we can elevate your IT experience in Edmonton and propel your business forward.
