Appalachia Technologies Blog

While artificial intelligence (AI) has many benefits for businesses, it has also created new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to carry out complex cyberattacks that are difficult to detect and mitigate. Using AI, hackers can create convincing phishing emails that bypass spam filters. Similarly, cybercriminals can leverage AI to manipulate security systems and gain unauthorized access that causes irreparable damage to your business and your reputation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help organizations like yours gain an edge in today's highly competitive business landscape by increasing efficiency, productivity and profitability. You can improve customer service, enhance marketing efforts, optimize inventory management, streamline sales processes and more.

In today’s threat landscape, where businesses are constantly at risk of being targeted by a cyberattack, adopting a zero-trust security model could be a wise decision from a cybersecurity point of view.

Cyberattacks have become rampant and have also grown in sophistication. A simple lapse in your network security could lead to a chain of events that could prove catastrophic for your business. You can avoid this by implementing a robust cybersecurity framework such as zero trust.

In today’s digital age, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated and costly. With cybercriminals constantly evolving their tactics and targeting businesses of all sizes, organizations like yours must proactively safeguard your data and systems. Unfortunately, many companies fall prey to common ransomware myths, which can leave them vulnerable to attacks and unprepared to respond effectively in the event of an incident.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files on a device or network, making them unusable until the victim pays the attacker a ransom. What started as a simple virus spread through floppy discs in the late 1980s has now evolved into a billion-dollar cybercrime industry.

As a business owner, you may feel that you need to choose between relying on your in-house IT staff or outsourcing technology management to an IT service provider. There is, however, a third option: co-managed IT. This approach combines the advantages and convenience of in-house IT with competent, specialized support from outsourced specialists.

Mike Miller was invited to speak at SecureWorld Charlotte in a fireside chat titled, "Your Career in Cybersecurity" in early March.  Mike is sharing his experience - tag along as he gives his first-hand account!

When it comes to managing your business’s IT infrastructure, there are several options available. One is fully managed IT, where an IT service provider takes care of all aspects of your IT needs, from monitoring and maintenance to troubleshooting and problem resolution. Another option is co-managed IT.

Your software is only as good as its last patch. Reaching End of Life (EoL) or End of Service (EoS) means critical patches and updates are no longer available, leaving you vulnerable to various problems.

Some make the mistake of not rushing to upgrade the software because it is still functional. However, outdated software can lead to security risks, data loss, compliance issues, and more.

In this blog, we will discuss the primary implications of running outdated software and explain why it’s crucial to take action when your software reaches EoL or EoS.

Central Penn Business Journal has released the 2023 Book of Lists and Appalachia Technologies is proud to be included in both the Cybersecurity Companies and System Integrators lists! 

When a software or hardware product reaches its End of Life (EoL) or End of Service (EoS), it's no longer supported by the manufacturer. This can be a cause of concern for organizations like yours because unsupported technologies have no routine internal security measures or support from the manufacturer.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to mitigate the risks that come with EoL software/hardware and protect your business. Read on further to learn about them.

It's crucial to keep all software and hardware up to date to maintain optimal security. If you don’t, cybercriminals can easily infiltrate your network and the chances for downtime increase significantly. However, many businesses don't realize that expired software/hardware can actually be one of the most prominent security risks hindering their success.

We are all aware of the term “use by date.” It is regularly used when talking about food and medications and refers to the date after which the product is no longer safe to consume. However, did you know that your software and hardware can expire too?

Time flies when you’re having fun, which is an accurate depiction of the last three days at the Zero Trust World conference in Orlando, Florida. There is quite a buzz going through the air about ThreatLocker after they announced their new endeavor, ThreatLocker Ops, which is their first foray into cyber attack detection. The ThreatLocker booth is hard at work answering questions and fielding requests to beta test the product. Not to mention their cool cash machine that new clients get to spend 30 seconds in to grab as much money as possible! It has been fun to watch.

All flights, regardless of the airplane, encounter some form of turbulence. A wise person (my mother) once told me before my first flying experience that just because there is some shaking and bouncing on the flight, to not worry, because it is all part of the glory of flying. This of course came on the heels of overwhelming news coverage of a plane crash in Charlotte, North Carolina that was caused due to wind shear and turbulence. Needless to say, I was anything but calm until I got into the air and witnessed the majesty of the earth from 37,000 feet. Day two of ThreatLocker’s Zero Trust World conference had a very similar theme.

3…2…1... We have lift-off! Zero Trust World 2023 has officially launched and is coming to you from the Omni Champions Gate Resort in Orlando, Florida. Seated in a dark ballroom with a blue ambient light cascading throughout the room like the aurora borealis, I took in the events of the morning with splendor. The National Ballroom is the main stage where the morning’s activities took place. I don’t want to just bring you the information, but I want you to feel like you are here sitting beside me at the round table. No stone was left unturned at the event. As I sat at my table before the speakers even began, I was mesmerized by the exuberance and excitement pulsating through the room. If I were to close my eyes and just absorb the auditory environment, I would have assumed that I was at a trendy nightclub with upbeat music pulsating through the air.

Cyber insurance is a type of insurance that protects businesses from financial losses that can result from a cyberattack. While it’s an essential tool for businesses of all sizes, there are some facts you should be aware of before purchasing a policy.

I’m going to throw some names out at you: Target, Uber, Colonial Pipeline, Equifax, Twitter. I’m sure most, if not all of you know these household names… maybe with the exception of Colonial Pipeline. I myself had never heard of them until I was sitting in my car in line to get gas while vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. On the radio was playing the news of how Colonial Pipeline had suffered a severe network breach that allowed an attacker to launch ransomware on their systems, shutting down their fuel transmission operations to the Southeastern United States. Which by sheer luck, I happened to be in that neck of the woods and got to experience my first-ever gas shortage. All I knew was I needed gas, or I wasn’t going to be able to leave the beach! Wait… how is that a bad thing? I digress.

As the world becomes more digitized and cybercrime increases, the need for cyber insurance is something businesses should not overlook. If your company handles, transmits or stores sensitive data, you need to know about cyber insurance.