July 2008
In this issue

Seminar Series
New Website
Customer Survey
Full Control
What You Install
Flat-panel Monitors

 

Watch What You Install On Your Server
by Christopher Elliott
reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center

Download warning: Watch what you install on your server.

Today's server operating systems, including Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, are so user-friendly that you could be left with the impression that anyone with the ability to put a CD into a computer disk drive could successfully deploy a new application.

That is the wrong impression.

When it comes to adding any new software — and particularly third-party applications — you need to be extra vigilant about what you're putting on your server and how you're doing it.

A server isn't as forgiving as a desktop computer. Take it from someone who just spent the better part of a week trying to recover data from a server that had been hopelessly corrupted by several applications that, in retrospect, were probably incorrectly installed by yours truly.

Here are a few things I wish I had done:


Flat-panel Monitors: 5 Things to Know
by Kim Komando
reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center

It's hard not to admire the sleekness of flat-panel displays. They are a perfect example of form melding with function to create a superior product.

Is it time for you to trade in your trusty cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor for a stylish new liquid crystal display (LCD) model?

Here's a look at what makes flat-panel monitors appealing.

 

 


1032 11th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
Voice: (209) 578 9739
800 845 4628
Fax: (209) 578 5463
 

ITSolutions begins seminar series with Network Security

On June 18th, ITSolutions presented a special seminar featuring Detective Lydell Wall of the Sacramento Valley High Tech Crimes Task force entitled “Cyber Crime and Security 2008”. Detective Wall kept his audience focused for more than two hours while he discussed critical security issues and ways to avoid problems. This seminar marks the beginning of a year long schedule of important IT issues that affect professional users. Look for an announcement of the next seminar in coming newsletters.

(Featured in the photo is Dave Sahl, CEO of ITSolutions)


We have a new website!

We’re proud of our new look. For the past several months we have been diligently working on a new ITSolutions website. It’s complete (just about) and open for business. Come visit and tell us what you think. ITSolutionsca.com
 


We conducted a comprehensive customer survey.
Here are the results. . .

Over the preceding two months, we conducted a survey of over 180 savvy business customers to determine the top 27 network / IT issues that concern them the most. Security and SPAM reduction issues topped the list of most respondents. How do these stack up in your business world? Here are the results of that survey listed in order of importance:

1. Security and data protection solutions
2. SPAM filtering (Elimination of productivity robbing junk email)
3. Network monitoring (Identify and correct problems before they cause trouble)
4. Disaster recovery plans and tools (Recover from disasters quickly)
5. Virtual Server technologies (Server consolidation, disaster recovery, resource utilization)
6. Pro-active network maintenance (Downtime prevention through automated services)
7. Emergency network service
8. Power backup solutions (Battery and Generator standby power solutions)
9. Digital records retention (Email and other data archiving)
10. Storage solutions (Data storage that can be shared by multiple servers)
11. Workstation imaging (Tools to make backup images of workstations for quick restoration)
12. Internet monitoring solutions (See EXACTLY what is going on with ALL Internet traffic)
13. Power reduction solutions (Programs and tools to save on power consumption)
14. Mobile computing solutions
15. Collaboration tools (Productivity software)
16. Outsourced helpdesk functions (Phone support)
17. Thin client or virtual workstation solutions (Centralization of workstation functionality)
18. Network staff augmentation
19. Strategic technology planning services (Business and technology planning)
20. Printer repairs and preventive maintenance
21. Office 2007
22. Project management
23. Blade Server technologies (Rack space utilization, power reduction, redundancy)
24. Microsoft software upgrades
25. Server 2008
26. Exchange 2007
27. SharePoint
28. Vista
 


In Business You Need Full Control
Over All Devices and Ports

Introducing DriveLock, an industry leading solution for controlling the use of ports and attached devices on all computers in your network. DriveLock enables you to maintain control of your company’s sensitive data. With DriveLock you can take action before it’s too late.

Data security for all USB and all other devices. DriveLock gives you very granular and flexible control over the use of peripheral devices. You can grant or deny permissions that define which devices individual users or groups are allowed to use. This product is easy to implement, easy to administer and easy to use. Call us today at (209) 578-9739 for more information on the many features of this cutting edge product.


Study: Majority of data breaches unnoticed

More than half of the data breaches on hundreds of enterprise systems go undetected and are caused by general negligence and lax security, according to a report by Verizon Business revealed late last week.

Verizon's 2008 Verizon Business Data Breach Investigations Report looked at some 500 cases between 2004 and 2007 where data was breached, resulting in more than 230 million compromised records.

The study revealed that 66 percent of the data breaches occurred due to incompetence and weak system fortitude. At least 75 percent of breaches evaded detection, with weeks, months and even years passing between incursion and discovery in 63 percent of the cases studied.

Read more

 



"Patriotism is easy to understand
 in America; it means looking out
for yourself by looking out
for your country."

 -Calvin Coolidge