IT News & Insights 
 
Today managing  IT includes...  Cloud, Security, Compliance, Video, Voice, Mobility, Networks, Storage, Support...  How are you going to tie IT all together?
   
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In-Building Cell Signal Boosters make Mobile Life better
Suffering from weak or intermittent cell phone coverage in your building?  You're not alone... Smart businesses are turning to affordable cell phone signal amplifiers to empower their on-the-go employees to become more efficient and productive in every corner of their buildings.

Reduce dropped and missed calls - and the embarrassment of having to reestablish calls and connections with customers and colleagues. DataLink's network infrastructure team designs, installs and supports cell phone signal boosters that increase voice, text and 4G LTE signals for all the carriers and service providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.
 
Designed for spaces up to 20,000 sq. ft. - and supporting even larger footprints with customized solutions - these devices feature advanced software that automatically and continually optimize gain for maximum performance.

Don't let spotty in-building cell signal coverage put your business on hold... DataLink offers signal boosters that have the flexibility to accommodate any building or floor plan.

Contact us today.
(410) 729-0440 | Email
 
Lessons learned from ransomware attack against Baltimore 911 and 311 dispatch systems
Baltimore's 911 and 311 dispatch systems were hacked recently, shutting down automated call handling for 36 hours. Hackers running scans found an open internet port that was inadvertently left unprotected and used it to install ransomware.

Although there were data backups, the most recent one occurred six days prior to the attack. All operating systems and the latest patches had to be reinstalled. When all was said and done, complete restoral of the automated systems cost the city about $20,000.

DataLink recommends that all municipalities (and businesses) take stock of their networks to understand their exposure, assess the risks, and patch vulnerable areas. They should also begin implementation of a layered approach to security that includes...
  • Stronger authentication techniques that go beyond usernames and passwords
  • Monitoring networks and systems continuously for signs of breaches
  • Better user training and periodic refresher training to thwart phishing attacks that trick users into clicking malware links
  • Stronger cyber security policies to share knowledge and promote a culture of diligence
  • More frequent data backups, with critical data also stored offline
DataLink's security team can help you bolster security defenses and prevent or minimize damage from future attacks.

Contact us today. 
(410) 729-0440 | Email
 
Brace yourself... Everything Facebook and Google know about you
Facebook continues to deal with the fallout from its own data security failures that have put the personal information of its users into the hands of third parties - some of whom have exploited that information for unethical purposes.
For users of Facebook and other social media who are concerned about such breaches of trust, it might be insightful to learn exactly what kind of personal information is tracked and harvested every day by these behemoths.

To get a sense of what they know about you, do a Google search on the phrase "what Facebook and Google know about you." We're aware of the irony in searching Google to get the information!

What you find may surprise you, and even cause you to change your browsing and search habits and how you interact with social media, especially since much of this collected information may never go away - even after you "delete" it.

Protecting proprietary information is essential for your business too. DataLink can help.

Contact us today.
(410) 729-0440 | Email
 
GDPR Compliance... Need Help Getting Ready?
The European Parliament adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in April 2016, replacing an outdated consumer protection directive from 1995.

Companies must comply with these strict new rules by May 25, 2018.
The GDPR requires businesses - even if they don't have a physical presence in Europe  to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens in electronic transactions that occur within EU member states. The GDPR also regulates the export of personal data outside the EU.

The GDPR governing body has a lot of latitude when it comes to assessing fines for data breaches and non-compliance. Businesses can even be held accountable for their processing partners' mishandling of data.

The security experts at DataLink can help your business steer around these speed bumps toward faster GDPR compliance. 

Contact us today.
(410) 729-0440 | Email

The importance of backing up Microsoft Office 365 data
If your business relies on Microsoft Office 365, it is absolutely critical that you avoid the unnecessary hazards of data loss. What you may not know is that even though Microsoft hosts the infrastructure, it is your responsibility to maintain a backup of your Office 365 data, including email, with a robust third-party backup solution.

Reasons to protect your Microsoft Office 365 data
  • Accidental deletion - After Office 365 has geo-redundantly deleted your data, it will be lost forever.
  • Retention policy gaps and confusion - Microsoft only keeps data for 90 days, which may not be long enough to suit specific business needs.
  • Internal security threats - Microsoft has no way of knowing the difference between a regular user and a terminated employee attempting to delete critical company data before they depart.
  • External security threats - Malware and viruses like ransomware are on the rise and can do serious damage.
  • Legal and compliance requirements - Regulations vary between industries and countries, but fines, penalties and legal disputes are three things you don't have room for on your to-do list.
  • Managing deployments and migrations to Office 365 - Organizations typically need a window of time to serve as a transition between on-premises and online data and email.
Don't put your business at unnecessary risk... DataLink offers solutions that ensure complete access to and control over your Office 365 data and email.

Contact us today.
(410) 729-0440 | Email

Co-Managed or Turnkey IT Solutions... We're your Trusted Managed IT Provider
No matter what your IT challenge, you can get all the support you need from DataLink...
  • We can support all of your IT needs on an ongoing basis, or just the piece with which your team needs the most help.
  • We can provide Help Desk support for your users, while your IT team stays focused on the strategic aspects of your business.
  • We can fill in for IT staff when you're short-handed due to personal days off, vacations, sick days, or absences due to technical training.
DataLink provides comprehensive, multi-tiered support for any IT issues involving your desktop or server environment, including problem escalations with your equipment and service providers.

Design your own support level... Get as much or as little help as you need. The experts at DataLink can help relieve your IT support pressure.

Contact us today.
(410) 729-0440 | Email

Serving
Maryland, Delaware,
Washington DC & N. Virginia

Whether you have an IT team or not, DataLink helps you keep up with new technology so you can grow and protect your business.

We help you deploy and manage advanced IT and A/V solutions - without the cost or hassle of doing everything yourself.

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