When witches go riding,- Richard Keene
IT Computer Support of New York
Design and Optimization Department
As we take a look at office health this month it’s important to remember that viruses are not limited to employees. Patching system vulnerabilities is a low cost solution that can save a business thousands of dollars in damages in the long term. The number of reported vulnerabilities has been on the rise for the last few years and reached over 3000 reported cases in 2008. With the high dependence of business computer servers the increase in vulnerability should not be a surprise. What is a surprise is that most businesses do not take the steps to protect their system infrastructure.
Patches are typically released shortly after a system vulnerability is found but often go unnoticed by the majority of users. The problem is that the patch process is often considered too complex, time consuming or not important enough to system administrators. Additionally, many feel reluctant to apply server patches because of the chance that they will respond poorly with a systems current hardware configuration. For these reasons it is ideal to have a system in place for periodical system backup and patching.
The importance of patching is made most apparent by the amount of damage that can be caused by the failure to do so. An exposed vulnerability to a single computer system can reveal information about all aspects of your business and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost information. If an intrusion attempt is made to your server then this loss or damage is multiplied by the number of connected systems and the costs grows geometrically. Suddenly, the minimal cost of a patching solution doesn’t seem as great.
The capabilities of system intruders are increasingly sophisticated and at the same time easier to obtain. In most cases an attack will be made to target a single vulnerability. For this reason system intruders monitor security breach announcements diligently and once one is revealed, attempt to replicate it. This is why ITCSNY recommends the installation of Critical Updates (Patches) shortly after their release to assure optimum security, uptime and performance.
IT Computer Support of New York offers critical server patching to our clients. If you would like to find out how to schedule a regular patching time, please contact Maureen Mchugh today.
- Richard Keene
IT Computer Support of New York
Design and Optimization Department
As summer comes to a close and we move into the fall and winter months it’s important to take precautions to ensure a healthy work environment. The eight hours you spend every day at the office is time that your immune system is bombarded with hundreds of contagions that can cause illness. In most cases the workplace is a closed environment with little care taken to ensure sanitation so it is crucial that you take measures into your own hands.
The most important preventative measure you can take is also the most basic. As a child your mother probably told you to wash your hands constantly and the same applies here. Proper hand sanitation is not only important for your own health but could also prevent and spread of illness to others. Most people think they do an adequate job when it comes to hand sanitation but many fail to wash the tops of their hands and lower arms. Any part of your body that is exposed to communal surfaces is at risk for contamination. In order to truly clean your hands it’s important to scrub all surfaces vigorously with soap. Water alone is not sufficient and in some cases may actually make matters worse as unclean damp hands are a breeding ground for bacteria.
Special Presentation: Hidden Germs
Shared objects within the office can be health risk for employees. If more than one person uses a computer console take time to clean the mouse and keyboard regularly. Avoid contact with other employees’ pens and writing utensils and never place them in your mouth. While this last point may seem obvious many people do it subconsciously. Also, since everything you touch is potentially infected avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid unnecessary stress whenever possible. While this may not be entirely possible given the nature of your job it is still important to take time to center yourself throughout the work day. Stress and lack of rest can weaken your immune system and make you less resistant to infection. Try to maintain a consistent sleep cycle whenever possible and limit artificial stimulants such as caffeine which might disrupt it. With proper precautions the chances of Flu infection and other illness will be greatly reduced.
- Richard Keene
IT Computer Support of New York
Design and Optimization Department
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