Entries by Garin Livingstone

Building a Future-Proof IT Strategy: Clinton Business Guide for Providers Selection

April 1, 2024 in /by

Having a strong IT foundation is essential for companies of all sizes. This is especially true in Clinton, Massachusetts, where businesses are increasingly reliant on technology for efficiency, growth, and innovation. Building a future-proof IT strategy requires finding the right IT provider that can cater to your organization’s unique needs, including assessing the IT requirements, […]

Is the End of Windows 10 a Real Worry?

December 18, 2023 in /by

In the past year-and-a-half Microsoft has made Windows 11 more stable and usable. And most critically, Windows 10 support – that is, providing security patches – is ending. So this means in October 2025, it will become unsafe to use devices running Windows 10.

Now is the ideal time to create a plan for migration, including performing an audit of devices: some will be able to be upgraded and some will need to be sunsetted. Also Windows 11’s compatibility with legacy software and hardware must also be assessed and addressed … [4 min. read]

There’s Power in Least Privilege

December 17, 2023 in /by

Evolution of Evil

Ransomware is a somewhat straightforward criminal action – data is illicitly encrypted and you may be able to restore systems from a backup or pay the crooks to hopefully get a decryption key from them.

Things have veered in a different direction now (see Allianz Commercial insurer’s report). Today a lot of ransomware attacks are cyber-extortion attacks. In these attacks the criminals capture your data and encrypt it, but they also exfiltrate your data to their servers. And the threat is often, ‘unless you pay, we will release your data on the web’ … [5 min. read]

When the Going Gets Tough

November 21, 2023 in /by

New data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that scams originating on social media have accounted for $2.7 billion in reported losses since 2021, more than any other contact method …

Reports during the first half of [2023] show that the most frequently reported scams on social media are related to online shopping, with 44 percent of reports pointing to fraud related to buying or selling products online. [source: FTC]

Social media shopping has grown huge: 67% of shoppers in 2022 purchased through social media channels and this course we’re on shows no signs of changing. And while it’s easy to see why people do it (among the reasons: more time spent on social media than with traditional media, the simulated, relaxed feeling of a community and the ease-of-purchase), it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t see if what we’re doing is in our best interests. Or at least ask, ‘can we do it better?’ … [4 min. read]

Patrick Walsh Promoted to Senior IT Field Technician

November 12, 2023 in /by

Bryley Systems is pleased to announce the promotion of Patrick Walsh from IT Field Technician to Senior IT Field Technician. In his new role, Patrick will be responsible for leading a team of techs in support of its clients’ IT environments.

Patrick has a history of success at Bryley: supporting clients – early in his time at Bryley he migrated many client devices to M365, solving tech problems and winning plaudits from those he’s worked with. During his time at Bryley he’s embraced the field tech role, showing not only technical expertise, but also peer-recognized troubleshooting skills with a determination to see that people are properly helped … [3 min. read]

Managed IT Services in Clinton, MA: Streamline Your Business Operations

October 30, 2023 in /by

Managed IT services have become increasingly popular in Clinton, MA, as businesses look to outsource their IT needs to experts who can provide comprehensive support and maintenance. These services offer businesses a range of benefits, including reduced downtime, increased security, and improved efficiency. By partnering with a managed IT services provider, businesses can focus on […]

As if what you do matters

October 10, 2023 in /by

United We Stand

Organizations look to IT professionals for tools and services to protect them from cyberthreats. But IT can only get them so far. Two-thirds of the way, in fact, according to the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) Triad. The National Institute of Standards and Technology calls the CIA Triad “the fundamental guiding principle of cybersecurity.”

End-User Responsibility

According to Gartner 69% of end-users violated their organizations’ cybersecurity practices the past year. So how do we counter this trend? Eric Sokolowski president of Bryley education partner Knowledgewave advocates a “drip-drip” method of Security Awareness Training … [4 min. read]