Warning: The following blog is a commentary of the Netflix limited series, "Zero Day" and may contain spoilers.
Appalachia Technologies Blog
Appalachia Technologies team is comprised of a diverse mix of IT professionals, some of whom have been on the forefront of IT since the industry’s inception. Through the years, our team has developed a wide array of experience in understanding individual needs and how they relate to your business.
The Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 is based on the 110 security practices from NIST SP 800-171 rev 2. These practices are designed to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI) within the defense supply chain. For most DoD contractors, achieving CMMC Level 2 compliance is now mandatory, but the process is challenging. Organizations must navigate evolving requirements, implement technical controls, manage costs, train their workforce, and prepare for stringent audits. Here’s an overview of the top challenges contractors face along with the best practices for overcoming them.
PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance isn’t new, but it does constantly change. Maybe you’ve sorted it out, maybe not. Regardless, making it easier should be a goal for every security or compliance leader. A strong compliance management program will maintain compliance for you. It can also be a great tool to help bolster security and justify budget allocation. So how do you do it?
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, safeguarding sensitive government data is a top priority for federal agencies—and for the contractors they partner with. While classified information has long been protected through well-established regulations, a new category of “Controlled Unclassified Information” (CUI) has emerged in recent years, prompting additional guidance and compliance requirements. Enter the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule for CUI.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what CUI is, why it matters to government contractors, and how the FAR rule on CUI will shape compliance requirements going forward.
Sourdough. Yes, I am starting a blog for a cybersecurity company with the 2020 hot trend of sourdough. Over Christmas break, my resistance to joining the sourdough club broke and I started down the path. I spent time consuming all the information I could – I scoured Instagram and started following creators, I watched YouTube videos on how to properly do a ‘stretch and fold,’ and I perused website after website to figure out what the heck I was doing. As a visual learner, I was thrilled when a blogger had included video for further explanation. And in many cases, the videos were embedded from TikTok.
Imagine being the owner of the most popular coffee joint on the corner. Your loyal customers line up outside each morning, eager to grab their caffeine fix. But, one day, as your staff hustles to keep up with the orders, a sudden storm knocks out the power, leaving the cafe in the dark. Or worse, a cyberattack targets your billing system, leaving a long line of frustrated customers.
Unexpected chaos can strike any business at any time. One moment, you’re basking in the glory of running a successful establishment; the next, you’re thrown against a wall, staring at a crisis that could disrupt your entire business. Don’t let this be your story.
Whether you’re a small business or a multinational corporation, your success hinges on the integrity and availability of critical data. Every transaction, customer interaction, and strategic decision relies on this precious asset.
As your dependence on data grows, so do the risks. Cyber threats and data breaches aren’t just potential disruptions when you possess valuable and sensitive data; they’re existential threats that can undermine your business continuity.
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, unexpected disruptions can strike at any time. Are you prepared to weather the storm and emerge stronger? Business continuity planning (BCP) is your essential toolkit for resilience. Let's delve into the importance of BCP, common threats, and how to create a robust plan to safeguard your organization.
In my 25+ year cyber security career, I have watched the demand for compliance auditing grow. In a world where the need to carry cash is diminishing, the need for securing digital data, such as credit cards, is vital. How do businesses go about protecting their clients’ credit data? More importantly, how do we as customers know that our credit card data is being protected? The answer is PCI.
AI has become a buzzword that often evokes a mix of awe, doubt and even fear, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. However, the fact is that if used effectively AI can revolutionize the way businesses like yours operate.
That’s why you must cut through the noise and separate fact from fiction if you want to leverage AI effectively. In this blog, we'll debunk some common misconceptions about AI in cybersecurity.
Managing a business on your own is challenging enough without worrying about cyberattacks. However, there is cause for alarm as hackers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to launch sophisticated cyberattacks to steal your data and disrupt business operations.
The good news is there are steps you can take to protect your business. This blog will explain how AI is being used in cybercrime and how you can safeguard your business.
As technology continues to advance, more and more businesses like yours are adopting Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications due to their flexibility, affordability and user-friendly nature. These cloud-based services have become a staple in the corporate world, offering tools that range from email and communication platforms to customer relationship management and project tracking systems.
However, as much as SaaS brings convenience and efficiency to the table, it also introduces new challenges — particularly when it comes to data protection. That’s why finding the right SaaS backup solution is not just an option but a necessity for safeguarding your business’s digital assets.
For businesses, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions offer unparalleled opportunities to enhance efficiency, scalability and overall operations. However, growing SaaS backup-related misconceptions also have the potential to hurt your business growth.
In this blog, we’ll shed light on some SaaS-related truths you simply cannot afford to ignore. Let's dive in.
In late February, NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) released the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0, a considerable update since its creation in 2014. To help our cybersecurity community and businesses digest the changes, Mike Miller and a team from Appalachia Technologies recently held a lunch and learn webinar. The webinar provided a mixture of voices and perspectives. After the event, we asked each member of the panel for their thoughts on what’s most important about NIST CSF 2.0 and the discussions that came from the webinar.
Are you prepared to face a cybersecurity breach, a natural disaster or a system failure?
Such disruptive events can strike at any moment, causing chaos and confusion.
But don’t worry. With an effective incident response plan in place, you can handle any incident with confidence.
This blog is intended to help you enhance your plan simply and straightforwardly. So, let’s dive in and make sure you’re ready for whatever comes your way.
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Cybersecurity Framework, developed in early 2014, is a framework widely respected and used across organizations in the United States. Over the years, revisions have been made – version 1.1 was drafted in 2017 and adopted in 2018, and talk around a more significant update in the form of 2.0 began sometime in 2023. And finally, this February the NIST CSF 2.0 was officially released – so what does this even mean? And why does it matter?
Worried about cyberattacks hitting your business? You're not alone.
Cyberattacks pose a real danger to businesses like yours and without a solid incident response plan, your business won’t be able to recover quickly, resulting in extensive losses. The good news, however, is that an incident response plan can help.
Through this blog, we’ll show you the common mistakes, myths and misconceptions that can stop you from building a strong response plan. We’ll also share simple solutions that will help you safely navigate cyber challenges.
In late February, the CISO Masterminds met for the Spring Summit Event in Hollywood, Florida. Founded by Jason Starr, CISO Masterminds gathers CISOs from across the nation to provide opportunities for deep conversation and exchange that ultimately allow CISOs to better serve their organizations. Appalachia has been honored to be afforded the opportunity to participate in events and serve as expert speakers.
In today's business landscape, data isn't just power -- it's the very lifeline that fuels business decisions, drives innovations and shapes strategies. However, businesses often find it difficult to effectively manage the vast amounts of data they hold, and that's where data management comes into play.
Simply put, data management is all about collecting, storing and analyzing data in the most efficient way possible to help businesses like yours make informed decisions, optimize operations and unlock invaluable insights.
In the world of business, your data holds the key to understanding customers, market trends and internal operations. Making the most of this information is crucial for improving customer experience, driving innovation and enhancing overall productivity.
You can unlock the full potential of your digital data with efficient data management and data governance.