We can all agree that the world looks different pre vs post pandemic. We have experienced a large amount of change in such short period of time. Some were bad, others were good.

Good news is that we are still here, witnessing history repeat itself. This is not the first, and most certainly not the last time we have gone through, or will experience hard times. , Extremely tough situations, such as, pandemics, financial crises, etc. are all cyclical. Comes and goes, bringing good and bad results. 

In such difficult times, we can see Darwin's natural selection theory unveiling before our eyes - those capable of change and evolution stay alive and thrive, while those unable to adapt naturally perish. We can witness empires collapse while dynasties are born. It is all part of the cycle.

Running a business is no easy feat, not at all, it comes with extreme hard work and challenges. Companies have to adapt to anything thrown at them to stay alive and competitive. One of those challenges is technology. Keeping up with technology can be demanding. Experts claim tech evolves exponentially, doubling in processing power and speed roughly every two years; with newer, better, and improved products being released at an incredibly fast pace. But one thing is certain, if we analyze the basics; it has been constant for a very long time. With that in mind, we decided to list the top five essential and fundamental services every business desperately need, now more than ever:

1. Secure Remote Access and Connectivity
2. Endpoint Detection and Response
3. Backup and Disaster Recovery
4. Collaboration/Productivity Tools
5. Identity Management and Multi-Factor Authentication

It is true that technology advances; new product releases and versions are launched faster than we can keep up with. But these five items are timeless. No matter how technology evolves, businesses will always have to pay close attention to them:

1. Secure Remote Access and Connectivity

In today's business world, a reliable internet connection and secure remote access are critical. Remote work and cloud-based services have become more common, and companies that lack a dependable and secure internet connection risk losing out on opportunities, efficiency, and data security. With the ongoing impact of the pandemic, remote access has become even more crucial to enable employees to work from anywhere while keeping connected to their team and the company's systems. Investing in secure remote access tools such as VPNs and multi-factor authentication is essential to safeguard business data and protect against cyber-attacks.

Ceifa is equipped with capable and knowledgeable technicians to help you implement such services. Curious to know how to proceed with next steps? Let us know, we are prepared to offer you free consultation services to get you started on your journey towards a protected and always connected environment - no matter your physical location.

2. Endpoint Detection and Response

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), aka anti-virus systems, is an essential security solution for your businesses. EDR tools monitor endpoints such as laptops, desktops, and servers for signs of security breaches, allowing security teams to detect and respond to threats before they cause damage. As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated and frequent, EDR provides an additional layer of defense to prevent data breaches, malware infections, and other types of attacks. By leveraging EDR solutions, businesses can detect and respond to incidents more efficiently, minimizing the impact of security breaches and reducing the risk of financial and reputational damage. Investing in EDR is crucial for businesses to protect their assets and reputation in the current threat landscape.

Ceifa has experience supporting different EDR systems. If you are curious to know more about it, take advantage of our free consultation on endpoint protection.

3. Backup and Disaster Recovery

Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) is a crucial strategy to safeguard your data and ensure business continuity. With the increasing threat of cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and human errors, having a solid BDR plan can help your business recover critical data and systems quickly in case of a disaster. BDR solutions can automatically back up data to secure offsite locations, allowing businesses to restore their systems and operations in a matter of hours instead of days or weeks. Investing in BDR solutions can help businesses minimize downtime, reduce financial losses, and maintain customer trust in the face of unexpected events.

Unsure if your business has a business continuity plan in case of unexpected disasters? We would be more than happy to help you get started on this matter with our complimentary consultation on BDR.

4. Collaboration/Productivity Tools

Microsoft 365 (M365) collaboration and productivity tools are critical to enhance teamwork, efficiency, and communication. M365 offers a suite of applications such as Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive that enable teams to work remotely while collaborating seamlessly on projects and documents. Not to mention the undeniably trustworthy tools we know and are used to such as Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc. 
Teams offers a secure and integrated platform for messaging, video conferencing, and document sharing, while SharePoint provides a centralized location for file storage and collaboration. OneDrive offers cloud-based file storage with secure access and sharing options. By leveraging M365 tools, businesses can enhance productivity and collaboration while reducing the dependency on physical office space. As remote work becomes more prevalent, investing in M365 tools can enable businesses to remain competitive and productive in a rapidly evolving workplace.

We have Microsoft 365 certified technicians who are passionate about finding creative solutions to boost your business productivity and collaboration. We are so exited to share the amazing functionalities offered by M365 that, you guessed it, we would love to give you free consultation services to wow you on how M365 can elevate your processes to a whole new level.

5. Identity Management and Multi-Factor Authentication

Identity management tools such as Active Directory allow businesses to manage user access and permissions securely. MFA provides an additional layer of security by requiring users to authenticate themselves through multiple methods such as passwords, biometrics, or tokens. By implementing these solutions, businesses can prevent unauthorized access to their systems, protect sensitive data, and comply with industry regulations. In an era of increasing cyber threats, investing in Identity Management and MFA is essential for businesses to maintain data security and protect their reputation.

Want to take this to an even higher standard? Ask us how we can leverage cloud services to implement even safer procedures to help you keep not only your company, but also your employees safe. As always, complimentary consulting is available.