Beginning to Prep for 2023
Labor Day! For some, Labor Day means the end of Summer. For others, Labor Day marks the beginning of another school year. By definition, Labor Day is a public holiday or day of festivities held in honor of working people. It is a day dedicated to the hardworking individuals that keep our companies running. For me, it is also a day that marks the beginning of planning and budgeting for the coming year.
As many of you begin a similar process after the holiday weekend, I would like to share some of my thoughts that hopefully will assist you in your planning. Let’s briefly revisit previous newsletter articles from this Spring and Summer as a starting point. In March, I shared “Digital Spring Cleaning” tips to help keep your data secure and maximize your productivity. In May, I wrote about “Vacation Prep in 2022,” listing steps you can take to minimize risk while enjoying your dream vacation. So, it is fitting that I point out a few key areas you should be considering during your 2023 budget and strategic planning.
Small businesses continue to be lucrative targets for cybercriminals. As larger businesses and your neighboring small businesses increase their cyber defense budgets, it leaves those that do not as softer, more vulnerable targets.
The following are quickly becoming requirements to protect your business:
- Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Multifactor passwords should be implemented and required wherever possible. Although some may see this as an extra step or nuisance, MFA is an extremely effective way to minimize the risks associated with compromised passwords.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Since the beginning of life with computers, we have understood the importance of Antivirus. While Antivirus still has its place in the digital world, today’s businesses should be moving to next-generation EDR technology.
- Security Awareness Training and Assessment: Recent statistics show that 96% of all security incidents originate from emails. A well-educated and informed employee is the number one defense for this type of attack.
- Access Control: Access control keeps sensitive and confidential information such as intellectual property and customer data from being compromised and falling into the wrong hands. With organizations moving to hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments, the need for access controls has never been more important.
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Often considered the final defense in the event of a breach, an MDR solution arms you with a team of Cyber Security professionals that monitor your entire network for indicators of a potential compromise. When identified, they quickly take action to isolate the attacker, sever their connections, and eliminate the potential of a company-wide attack.
As we celebrate Labor Day and the employees running our companies, let us be reminded that it is our responsibility to ensure their environment is safe and they have the tools to fight this battle.
Once the BBQ grills cool down, and horseshoe games are put away for the year, I hope you will find these tips helpful as you continue to grow your businesses.
–Matthew Tucker, CEO
Cybersecurity Awareness Seminar with the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce
Pegasus will be teaching a continuing education course on cybersecurity. Learn how to accomplish nine things that will drastically improve the cybersecurity hygiene of your operations. We will include case studies of successful cyberattacks against local companies and what could have been done to prevent them. Many organizations have tightened their cyber defenses. You’ll leave the room armed with actions you can take today to avoid becoming the low-hanging fruit. Talk with other local organizations and learn how cyber warfare has affected them.
Business Leaders In The Know – Cybersecurity Awareness In Local Businesses And Nonprofit Organizations
11:45am – September 21, 2022
Lavazza Corporate Headquarters
1301 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19382
Monthly Tech Tip: How To Update Google Chrome
If Pegasus manages your computers, we work to keep your critical software safe and well maintained, but how does Google Chrome get updated on your home computers? It’s not part of Microsoft Updates. Typically the Chrome browser will update itself, but sometimes it needs some intervention. It’s important your browser is always kept up-to-date, to help defend against the latest threats from malicious websites, enable new features from cutting-edge websites, and run with the latest improvements, bug fixes, and speed enhancements.
To update your Google Chrome browser, follow these steps:
- Find the settings for your browser. It should be in the top right corner behind three vertical dots.
- Click that menu button and choose “Settings.”
- In the Settings menu, select “About Chrome.”
- Chrome will automatically check for updates. Wait a few moments for it to give you instructions. If you are up to date, it will tell you. If you need to update your browser, it will allow you to do so.
- Once you’ve updated your Google Chrome browser, you’ll need to restart the program. Relaunching your browser will apply the security changes you have just made.
Check out the Tips and Tricks section of our blog for more DIY technical know-how. Want some tips in a particular area? We love your requests, so feel encouraged to let us know what you want to see next month!
In Case You Missed It: Apple reported a major vulnerability in iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers on August 19th. Apple released software updates you need to install.
iPhone and iPad owners can update their software by going to the settings application, tapping “general” and then tapping “Software Update.” If you see a new software update available, you should tap “install now.”
Mac owners should click on the Apple logo in the top left-hand corner of your desktop screen. You should then click on “About this Mac,” and then click “Software Update” to check for available updates. If a new software update is available, you should click “update now.”
If you want more background, here’s a nice article from the New York Post:
Apple’s security flaw warning: What it means and what you need to do (nypost.com)
Pegasus was a Closest-to-the-Pin & Hole Sponsor in the 2022 SCCCC Scholarship Golf Tournament
We are pleased to report that our team of golfers didn’t break any windows when we played in the 2022 Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament at the Kennett Square Golf & Country Club.
We had fun and were honored to be a sponsor. Hope to see you on the greens next year! (But if you play for the lowest score, you probably don’t want to be on our team.)
