Cybercriminals never stop changing their techniques to evade defenses. Ransomware remains a favored form of attack, with variants that target Windows, Linux and virtual machines. Increasingly, ransomware gangs are attacking endpoints and using remote encryption to compromise the entire IT environment.
Ransomware Attacks Increasingly Target Endpoints with Remote Encryption
How Unified Communications Enables Digital Transformation
New FCC Pilot Program Promises Funding for K-12 Cybersecurity
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K-12 schools and libraries have a new weapon in the war against cyberattacks — funding through a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pilot program.
On June 6, 2024, the FCC approved the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, earmarking $200 million for security solutions and services over the three-year pilot.
Gen AI Depends on High-Quality Data
Gen AI Heightens the Shadow IT Threat
![Gen AI Heightens the Shadow IT Threat](https://pronto-core-cdn.prontomarketing.com/2/wp-content/uploads/sites/1154/cache/2024/07/Verteks-genAI-shadow-IT/1043197655.jpg)
The unsanctioned use of generative AI services creates new security and compliance risks.
Cloud applications and services make it easy for users to explore new ways to do their jobs with improved speed, flexibility and efficiency. Unfortunately, they also make it easy to circumvent IT authorization, significantly increasing the risk of data loss and compliance violations.
The Challenges of GenAI Adoption and How a Qualified MSP Can Help
![The Challenges of GenAI Adoption and How a Qualified MSP Can Help](https://pronto-core-cdn.prontomarketing.com/2/wp-content/uploads/sites/1154/cache/2024/07/Verteks-genAI/3782191191.jpg)
What holds organizations back from achieving their objectives? What prevents them from developing innovative products, services or business models?
In many cases, employees are too plugged in to innovate. Always-on communication and a never-ending deluge of information leave them struggling to keep up with the pace of work.
The Many Business-Crippling Impacts of a Ransomware Attack
![The Many Business-Crippling Impacts of a Ransomware Attack](https://pronto-core-cdn.prontomarketing.com/2/wp-content/uploads/sites/1154/cache/2024/07/Verteks-ransomware5/2532488792.jpg)
The FBI has announced that it now has more than 7,000 decryption keys for the LockBit ransomware. Victims of a LockBit ransomware attack are encouraged to visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov to obtain a decryption key for free. It could enable those organizations to recover their data, but sadly, it won’t make a dent in the ransomware scourge.
New SEC Cybersecurity Reporting Rules Now Apply to Smaller Companies
QR Code Phishing Attacks Pose a Significant Risk
![QR Code Phishing Attacks Pose a Significant Risk](https://pronto-core-cdn.prontomarketing.com/2/wp-content/uploads/sites/1154/cache/2024/07/Verteks-quishing/2753902799.jpg)
Phishing is by far the most common type of cybercrime. According to Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) data, individual users reported almost 300,000 phishing and spoofing attacks in 2023, compared to fewer than 56,000 personal data breaches. Researchers with Zscaler ThreatLabz found that phishing attacks increased more than 58 percent in 2023.
A 2024 report by Egress found that 94 percent of organizations fell victim to phishing attacks in the preceding 12 months, and 96 percent were “negatively impacted” by those attacks.
The Benefits of Virtual CIO Services
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A qualified MSP can provide an economical way to get the expertise of an experienced CIO.
Technology advances come with both opportunities and risks for small to midsize enterprises (SMEs). Artificial intelligence (AI) is a prime example. AI can enable unprecedented levels of efficiency, transforming operations and enabling the development of new products, services and business models.