Bells IT Support

CrowedStrike Cyber Security

Protecting Your Small Business: Insights from the Recent CrowdStrike Issue

In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, staying informed about the latest threats and vulnerabilities is crucial, especially for small businesses. Recently, a significant CrowdStrike issue has surfaced, highlighting the ever-present need for robust cybersecurity measures. This blog delves into the implications of this incident and offers key actionable steps to enhance cybersecurity for small businesses in Kent.

Understanding the CrowdStrike Issue

CrowdStrike, renowned for its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, recently reported a vulnerability that could potentially expose businesses to cyber threats. This incident underscores the reality that even the most advanced security solutions are not impervious to vulnerabilities. For small businesses, this serves as a crucial reminder to maintain vigilance and continuously improve their cybersecurity frameworks.

 

Furthermore it has been confirmed that this incident related to a single line of code, causing billions of computers worldwide to suffer a Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD) loop while trying to boot, but although this has affected millions of users globally, this is a big reminder for smaller companies to ensure they have adequate protection as Vendors are also susceptible to attacks and bugs.

The Implications for Small Businesses

  1. Heightened Awareness: The CrowdStrike issue brings to light the importance of staying informed about potential vulnerabilities, even in widely trusted solutions. Small businesses must prioritize cybersecurity awareness and education.
  2. Proactive Measures: It is essential to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Regular updates, patches, and continuous monitoring of security systems are vital in mitigating risks.
  3. Holistic Security Strategy: Relying solely on a single solution can be risky. A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes multiple layers of protection, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and employee training, is crucial.

Steps to Enhance Cybersecurity for Your Small Business

  1. Conduct Regular Security Audits: Regular audits help identify potential vulnerabilities in your systems. Consider partnering with a trusted IT support and cybersecurity company to perform thorough assessments.
  2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access to systems. This can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
  3. Stay Updated: Ensure all software, including cybersecurity solutions, is regularly updated to the latest versions. Updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities.
  4. Employee Training: Human error is a significant factor in many security breaches. Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees about the latest threats and best practices in cybersecurity.
  5. Data Backup and Recovery Plan: Regularly back up critical data and have a robust recovery plan in place. This ensures business continuity in case of a cyber incident.

Why Choose Us?

At Bells IT Support, we specialize in providing tailored IT support and cybersecurity solutions for small businesses in the South East region of the UK. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity, ensuring your business remains protected against evolving threats, so partnering with the right team is extremely important.

  • Customized Solutions: We understand that every business is unique. Our solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of your business.
  • Expertise and Experience: With years of experience in the industry, our team stays ahead of the curve, providing you with the latest and most effective cybersecurity measures.
  • 24/7 Support: Cyber threats don’t operate on a 9-5 schedule, and neither do we. Our support team is available around the clock to assist you whenever you need us.

For more information on our services, visit our IT Support page and our Cybersecurity Services page  and to speak to us directly about the CrowdStrike issue cybersecurity for small businesses, please call on +44 (0) 20 3883 9620.

Conclusion

The recent CrowdStrike issue serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, and for small businesses in Kent, staying informed and proactive is essential. So implementing robust cybersecurity measures and partnering with a trusted IT support company, you can safeguard your business against potential threats.

For more information on the CrowdStrike issue of cybersecurity for small businesses and how we can help protect your business, contact us today. Let’s work together to create a secure and resilient digital environment for your small business, because having the wrong support could mean lots of downtime!

Infinity Fitness UK LTD

  • Size: SME | < 20 Employees | 2 locations
  • Industry: Fitness

Infinity Fitness approached Bells IT in 2018 after being recommended by other clients for our services. They were looking for new connectivity and voice solutions for their facility in Kent. They were due to open another centre within a few months and wanted the ability of standardising their WiFi and calls for cross-gym memberships. Infinity Fitness learned about our services within CCTV, Help Points, Alarms and other services and quickly decided that we were the right team for them.

We designed a WiFi an voice solution that was quickly implemented at both sites for the use of staff, members and coffee shop users. Bells IT also supported the door access and CCTV installations. We have developed a long relationship with Infinity Fitness and are providing the on going support for all solutions. For Infinity Fitness, Bells IT Provided the following solutions:

  • Technology (All Solutions)
  • Connectivity and Voice
    • Hosted Telephony
    • FTTC Connections (Multiple)
    • FTTPoD Connection
    • ADSL AnnexM Connection
  • Security Solutions
    • CCTV
    • Anti-Virus
    • Security Firewalls
    • Email Security
    • Door Access

Evergreen Care Bexley

  • Size: Charity | < 20 Employees | 1 Location
  • Industry: Community Care

Evergreen were introduced to Bells IT Support by a mutual client. Evergreen decided to appoint Bells IT Support as their go-to IT department. Evergreen Care required an email migration to Microsoft Office 365 while using all available charitable licenses. Bells IT Support have also deployed a new private cloud for Evergreen Care to store their data and database. This ensures that their IT is kept up-to-date and secure.

Solutions currently provided by Bells IT Support

  • Technology (All Solutions)
  • Security Solutions
    • Anti-Virus

Evergreen care provides an invaluable service to the elderly community with Bexley and Bromley. They rely heavily on support from local community funding and from volunteers. If you are able to assist this great local charity, please do so by going to their website. HTTPS://WWW.EVERGREENCAREBEXLEY.ORG/

DWG Group

  • Size: SME | < 50 Employees | 1 Location
  • Industry: Construction

DWG Group have been a long-standing client of Bells IT Support. Bells IT Support initially started working with DWG Group in 2014 when they were looking to expand and required a server. We proposed a few options and decided the best solution was to provide a small business server, keeping email and files in-house with 4-hourly backups and a daily offsite backup. DWG grew and decided to take on more of the services that Bells had to offer, such as on-premise telephony utilising the Avaya products and more recently our CCTV and Alarm offerings. DWG have now moved to a cloud-based email using the Office 365 infrastructure with an up to date onsite server.

DWG currently use Bells IT Support for the following solutions:

  • Technology (All Solutions)
  • Connectivity and Voice
    • On-Premise Telephony
    • FTTC Connection
    • EFM Circuit
    • ISDN Circuits
  • Security Solutions
    • CCTV
    • Alarm
    • Anti-Virus
    • Security Firewalls
    • Email Security

CSCS

  • Size: SME | < 20 Employees | 1 Location
  • Industry: Construction, Health and Safety

CSCS contacted Bells IT Support in 2017 after putting their technology requirements out to tender. Bells IT Support placed a tender and met with the board to discuss their requirements and produce a plan of different options to understand what was best for them. After a couple of meetings and discussing different options and how things would work going forward, CSCS knew that Bells IT Support were the right company for their needs. With the immediate changes approaching such as moving offices, server upgrades, telephony upgrades and the ability to reduce their IT support queries, Bells IT understood all of their requirements and discussed options and plans to suit their needs and budget, as well as delivering all services on-time.  With users now working globally, they are able to all function and work from anywhere.

 

Bells IT Support currently provide CSCS with the following solutions:

  • Technology (All Solutions)
  • Connectivity and Voice
    • Hosted Telephony
  • Security Solutions
    • Anti-Virus
    • Security Firewalls
    • Email Security
  • Digital Solutions
    • Copier Solutions
    • Video Conferencing

A testimonial from CSCS:

“Switching IT provider can be a daunting prospect for your business. What if something goes wrong and the business is impacted. However, during our first consultation with Bells IT we were sure that we were talking to the right people. The team at Bells are very knowledgeable and act professionally at all times. The actual migration was carried out seamlessly and much quicker than expected. Since switching to Bells IT our technical issues have significantly reduced, response times have greatly improved and our IT support costs have come down. Bells IT have surpassed our expectations.”

Carepoint Services LTD

  • Size: < 50 Employees | 4 Locations
  • Industry: Community Care

Carepoint Services began using Bells IT Support in 2016 after deciding to switch IT provider. Carepoint had a newly installed server and required some support for their staff and software. Bells IT support put a proposal together to support their end users, manage their server and maintain their backups. Over the last two years, Carepoint have grown into three new locations and have required more services from Bells IT. We have delivered a bespoke private cloud solution utilising Dell thin clients for access their servers in any office. Carepoint now have the peace of mind knowing that their servers are up-to-date and secured. This allows them to undertake bigger tenders and grow their business further.

 

Current solutions provided by Bells IT Support are:

  • Technology (All Solutions)
  • Connectivity and Voice
    • Hosted Telephony
    • FTTC Connections (Multiple)
    • Fibre Leased Line (Multiple)
  • Security Solutions
    • Anti-Virus
    • Security Firewalls
    • Email Security

Supreme Care Services

  • Size: > 65 Employees | 12 Locations
  • Industry: Community Care

Supreme Care Services first contacted Bells IT to discuss the support for their entire IT infrastructure. Supreme Care have an enterprise setup with 65 users spread across 12 sites. Upon our first discussions, Supreme Care felt that Bells IT was the right company to choose. After being left with unresolved issues from their previous IT company, they decided it was time to change. The system previously implemented included over 30 servers all for basic roles. Bells IT redesigned their infrastructure and have narrowed this down to jus 5 servers without any performance loss. A shift from on-premise exchange to Microsoft 365, reducing exchange licensing and the need for servers has allowed Supreme flexibility and better integration with their other core systems.

Since working with Supreme and building a growing relationship, Bells IT now supply manage the following solutions :

  • Technology (All Solutions)
  • Connectivity and Voice
    • Hosted Telephony
    • FTTC Connections (Multiple)
    • Fibre Leased Line (Multiple)
  • Security Solutions
    • Anti-Virus
    • Security Firewalls
    • Email Security

Rainbow Medical Services

  • Size: < 30 Employees | 1 Location
  • Industry: Specialized Care

Rainbow Medical Services were introduced to Bells IT after being recommended by another client. Based on the support and knowledge they received, they suggested we were the right company for their needs. After our first discussions, Rainbow Medical Services, who have staff in multiple countries, decided Bells IT were best to take over their services.

While reviewing the current setup for Rainbow, Bells IT have made suggestions to migrate their email to Microsoft 365, migrate their database to a cloud system and provide a new file server.

 

We are currently providing Rainbow Medical Services with Technology Solutions and Broadband Solutions.