Under Federal Law, Senior Management Is Personally Liable For The Effective Protection Of All Vital Corporate Assets, Including Data.
Business growth can require changes in data backup and recovery management techniques, especially if existing hardware and networking schemes are expanded or redefined. The best management plans handle data coherently across the entire system. The worst approach, and the most costly to the bottom line, is trying to manage data on a server-by-server basis. When information means money, protecting data in a shoddy manner is as devastating as not having a handle on the company’s finances. In today’s world, data is inextricably linked to financial profits.
The recent changes in e-technologies and e-business models means rethinking and readjusting the methodologies used to back up, protect, and secure mission-critical data for recovery in case of a disaster. The truth today is that a lot of different variables have to be analyzed and incorporated into a successful business backup strategy. Data backup is the most important thing to be done if the business is doing any business at all. The data on those servers is critical. If it’s lost, the business could fail. Finding the correct formula for your new data recovery paradigm isn’t a difficult process.
Analyze Current Needs
Qualify the current network hardware and software, particularly in terms of how much data will be held on the servers, the amount of data that is handled on a daily basis, the devices already in place to perform data backup and recovery, and the software running those devices. Analyze how the current network configuration is administered and managed: how many servers, their location, where they are administered from, where and how the data is backed up. Look at the current disaster recovery plan to see how it fits in.
Project Future Growth
The next step is an analysis of future needs. The current business plan should provide some kind of guideline as to the expected growth over the next year, and a projected guideline for the following years. Comparing current levels versus the projected/desired growth will give a baseline on the future needs that must be planned for, such as adding additional employees, functions, or business processes. There is no one-time investment in data backup solutions, yet some companies don’t analyze what their maintenance and upgrade needs or costs will be when they buy their system initially.
Investigate Solutions
An ideal data backup solution will allow one to go beyond yesterday’s solution of a machine-to-machine model of data backup to an enterprise-wide solution for data backup
Implement the Plan
One of the biggest problems for companies is to have a backup system and never use it, or never use it properly. Maybe the system they have is too slow because they bought an inexpensive tape drive that doesn’t run fast enough, or maybe they have to go down and run the backups from each machine directly and they don’t have the time. Having the system isn’t enough. It’s got to be used, and used properly, if there is to be any benefit.

Review Management Plan
Any data backup plan needs to be reviewed annually or semiannually to make sure that it is on track with the business’ actual growth, is delivering the kind of protection the business needs, and is not breaking the bank to administer and maintain. This review process can be naturally fit into most business’ financial scheduling and budget planning periods.

System Care has been our IT partner for nearly five years. In that time they have provided support for our three servers and 27 desktops in the Cleveland area. Their technicians are very knowledgeable and easy to work with. They have provided services that range from simple software patches to complete server installations and network upgrades. Their service response times are very timely and you can always reach a live person in an emergency. I am very pleased with the service and professional advice we receive from System Care. We always thought it was more cost effective to do our computer support internally; little did we know how cost effective it would be to work with System Care and their team of professionals. We know System Care will be there when we need them.

Greg Phillip
Vice President
Kiffer Industries, Inc.

System Care, Inc. has provided total information technology support for our servers, desktops, network and all software for seven companies that I own and operate. They have serviced my companies since their inception and have always been extremely responsive and knowledgeable relative to our technology requirements and needs.
System Care Inc has received our “EME Stamp of Approval” TM by EARNING our trust, respect and loyalty, by MEETING our needs and EXCEEDING our expectations! I have the utmost confidence in their abilities and highly recommend them to any individual and/or organization in need of the information technology solutions and support.

Ronald D. Yacobozzi
President
1st Nationwide Title Agency

“System Care has been the exclusive provider of technology support for the students, faculty, and staff at Cleveland State University’s West and East regional campus’ in Westlake and Solon, Ohio since their inception. I have found the management staff to be highly attentive to our needs while providing superior and timely customer service. System Care has been a major contributor to the success of the remote centers, allowing us to surpass all of our target goals.”
Paul Haught
Director, Extended & Off-Campus Operations
Cleveland State University

HOW THEY GET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
“Spiders” - Also known as robots or scrapers, these software programs crawl the Web and online discussion groups, grabbing e-mail addresses and domain names. Online directories and popular sites, such as AOL and eBay, are favorite targets.

“Dictionary attacks” - Spammers launch attacks with software that creates millions of possible e-mails from combinations of letters and numbers, such as bob@yourisp or mary@bigcorporation.
Deceptive Web sites - Spammers induce Web users to enter contests or receive free products in exchange for accepting marketing e-mail. But disclosure is rare that that the e-mail address likely will be resold multiple times, and the recipient is deluged with unsolicited offers.

Unsubscribe lists - Despite posting “remove” mechanisms in their messages, spammers often ignore requests to drop e-mail addresses. Sometimes those requesting removal are used to send more spam.

List reselling - Once harvested, spammers buy and resell millions of addresses for a few cents a name.
HOW SPAM IS SENT TO YOU
Bulk e-mailing - Software can turn an ordinary personal computer into a powerful mail server, sending up to 250,000 e-mails per hour. Spammers sometimes specialize, targeting users of news groups, instant messaging or wireless devices.

“Cloaking and spoofing” - Spammers survive by evading detection. Typical tricks: stripping off sender information that might identify them; forging “to” and “from” fields so messages appear to come from legitimate companies or work colleagues; randomly altering subject lines to sneak past anti-spam filters.

Finding a friendly host - Spammers set up accounts with Internet service providers and Web hosting companies known for slow or no response to spamming complaints. Once caught, they change their identities and move to the next ISP or host.

Hijacking - Using scanning software, spammers search globally for unprotected computer networks whose systems can be taken over and used to send spam. About 70 percent of spam sent to U.S. addresses comes via overseas connections.
HOW SPAMMERS MAKE MONEY
Affiliate marketing programs - Businesses offer cash to Web site operators and legitimate e-mail marketers who deliver paying customers. Such incentives also encourage spammers to send unsolicited e-mails in bulk to boost commissions.

Revenue sharing - Sweetening the pot, operators of pornography and gambling sites typically offer the highest payouts, up to $50 for a new customer as well as a cut of ongoing revenues from the customer.

Spamware sales - Veteran spammers sell “spamware” to amateurs, ranging from e-mail addresses to Internet connectivity. They sell their wares on websites and in bulk e-mailer chatrooms.

Scams - Some spam is illegal fraud, notably pyramid-scheme chain letters. The so-called Nigerian Letter, a spam in which an alleged Nigerian official seeks help moving money between banks, accounts for 15 percent of online fraud complaints to the FBI.

Source: San Jose Mercury News research

Check this space regularly for new Tech Tips and articles detailing options to help secure your business and keep your network and data secure and working as it should!