6 Steps for Backing Up Your Data

How often do you back up your data?

In terms of backups, you will want a reliable and comprehensive backup plan that meets the following metrics:

1. Identify all important data, and ensure it is stored in approved places that are included in your backups (e.g. shared network drive) as opposed to in your local “my documents” folder.
2. Business class backup software such as Veeam or Acronis that can make full system images, perform incremental backups, offer encryption, and feature granular restore capability (ability to restore the whole system or individual files).
3. Local backups are stored on separate network storage device that only your backup software knows about.  External drives plugged into your server or mapped network drives are just as likely to be encrypted as your server itself.
4. Off-site backups.  Make sure you have off-site backup capability, either to removable media that is regularly swapped and taken off-site, or cloud storage.
5. Off-line backups.  Sure, cloud backups are great and provide off-site capability.  But by definition, cloud backups mean “on-line,” and there is at least some possibility that anything that is online can be discovered and hacked.  Off-site backups (such as removable media that has been physically disconnected) cannot be hacked because they are physically unplugged and off-line.  This will save your day if all of your other backups get encrypted.
6. Make sure your IT support is competent and has experience backing up and restoring customer systems and data.  How does it work?  How long will it take?  Have you ever had to do it before?

Read more about protecting your data with backups here.

Reach Out to a Computer Service in Ann Arbor

If you miss even one of these, you are setting yourself up for a bad day.  But don’t despair – NSG can help.  If you aren’t 100% confident that you are fully protected, please reach out and let us know.  We’d be happy to review and discuss and come up with a plan to keep you safe and your data secure.

If you're ready for comprehensive computer service in Ann Arbor, contact NSG here!

Backups: The Last Line of Defense

Are you concerned about your company getting hacked?

You’ve read about it in the news.  Big companies and government agencies getting hacked with ransomware and being down for days, and having to pay exorbitant ransom in order to get their data back. Don’t let is happen to you.

I’m going to let you in a little secret.  The best way to protect yourself from ransomware is…. With backups!  I know it sounds simple, but stick with me here.  It’s more complicated than it sounds.

Yes – you should have business class antivirus software.

Yes – you should have a business class firewall.

Yes – you should have a maintenance and monitoring plan in place to keep all of your systems up to date with security patches.

Yes – you should be training your users to be cautious and not just click on attachments and links in random emails.

Yes – you should have strong passwords and multi-factor authentication enabled.

All of that stuff is important, but none of it is foolproof.  Antivirus and firewalls can only protect you from known threats.  Same with system updates.  It’s critically important to keep your systems patched and up to date with the latest security updates, but even so new threats are discovered each and every day.

Even with all of your precautions it’s possible that some hacker/scammer somewhere will trick someone into clicking on something and then… Bam!  You’re infected.

It would absolutely be better to not get infected in the first place, but there are no guarantees, so your last line of defense are good backups and a disaster recovery plan.

Read more about protecting your data with backups here.

Get Protection with an Ann Arbor Computer Service

Network Services Group provides comprehensive computer service in Ann Arbor, including backups and disaster recovery. To discuss a protection plan, call (877) 815-6974 or submit a contact form here.

Ditch the Long Contract Lock-In

Looking for a provider that doesn’t lock you into a multi-year contract?

A lot of MSP's that we've encountered don't even want to talk to you unless you sign up for their full managed services plan, and even then, they want to lock you into multi-year contracts with built in price hikes each year. Yikes! 

At NSG, we work hard to provide great service and support with the goal of making our customers happy. We don't see the need to lock people into long term contracts. If you like what we do, then you'll stick with us. It seems that too many MSP's are interested in making their accountants happy as opposed to their customers.

Read more about MSP’s here.

Trust Your Managed Services to an Ann Arbor IT Support Specialist 

If you’re looking for an all-in-one MSP that cares about your business, look no further than Network Services Group. We’re an IT Support Specialist in Ann Arbor with twenty-two years of experience in the industry. Call (877) 815-6974 or submit a contact form here for all of your IT needs.

Managed Services from NSG

Does your business need a managed service provider?

NSG offers a wide range of services, including managed services. Under a managed service agreement, there is a fixed price that includes monitoring, maintenance, and support services. This is great for companies who want to know what they will be spending each month on IT support. 

We also provide some of these services separately, such as monitoring and maintenance plans, and then bill for any additional support services as they are utilized. 

The important thing is to have some kind of monitoring and maintenance plan in place to keep your systems up and running and secure, as well as having access to quality and experience support when you need it.

Read more about MSP’s here.

Managed Services from an Ann Arbor IT Support Specialist

If you’re looking for an all-in-one MSP that cares about your business, look no further than Network Services Group. We’re an IT Support Specialist in Ann Arbor with twenty-two years of experience in the industry. Call (877) 815-6974 or submit a contact form here for all of your IT needs.

Consult NSG for Your Business Computer

Are you on the hunt for a new computer for work?

You could go over to Costco or some other big box store and buy whatever computer they have on the shelf.  However, keep in mind that those types of stores usually only carry consumer grade equipment that isn’t suitable for business use, and it’s actually surprising how many times that storyline doesn’t have a happy ending.

When it comes to computers, there are so many different brands and options that it can be difficult to know exactly what you need.  What brand and model are best?  What specs do I need?  Contact NSG and take the guesswork and headaches out of technology.

Oh, and that new computer?  You’re going to want to have an experienced IT professional set it up for you so that it is properly configured, has security updates and software installed, and is optimized for performance and security. 

Read more about computer consultation here.

Ask a Computer Consultant in Ann Arbor

Working with the right technology company can help set you up for success, so that you have the right gear, configured the right way, so that it works for you when you need it.  Work with NSG, a premier computer consultant in Ann Arbor, and experience the positive side of what technology has to offer. Call us at (877) 815-6974 or submit a contact form here!

Get a Computer Prepared for Business

Unsure what to look for in a business computer?

The motto of the boy scouts is to be prepared, and we think they might be on to something.  Business users rely on their computers and technology to get their jobs done, so you don’t want to show up to work with the wrong computer.  The right computer saves you time and makes you more efficient and productive.  The wrong computer… not so much.

At Network Services Group, our main focus is providing computer network service, support, and consulting services to business customers, but we also sell computers, laptops, servers, and networking equipment.   The reason we do this is partly a matter of convenience for our customers (one stop shopping), but also because we want to help ensure our customers are getting the right gear.

To read more about selecting the right work computer, click here!

Get Your Tech from a Computer Consultant in Ann Arbor

Working with the right technology company can help set you up for success, so that you have the right gear, configured the right way, so that it works for you when you need it.  Work with NSG, a premier computer consultant in Ann Arbor, and experience the positive side of what technology has to offer. Call us at (877) 815-6974 or submit a contact form here!

The Cons of Commercial Web Hosting

Are you considering one of the big-name, free-to-use website hosts?

There is a wide selection of website hosts to choose from— BlueHost, HostGator, and GoDaddy are three of the most popular. These are not necessarily bad services, but when it comes to website hosting, there is a direct tie between your connection to the host and your connection to your website. If you’re using a commercial host and things go sideways, it’s likely that your issues won’t be addressed in a timely manner.

Here are three challenges of working with a commercial website host:

No personal connection. Commercial hosting providers are disinterested by nature because there is no personal connection. Usually, you’re not even interacting with the employees unless you’re trying to solve an issue.

Inexperienced crew. The people answering your calls at a commercial hosting company may not be trained in tech or website hosting. Often, these companies are so large that they hire people just to make sure they have enough bodies to fill the positions. They might know very little about your problem, or they might be incredibly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clients that they have to keep track of.

Data is less secure. Template-based websites are easy to use, but that also means they’re easier to hack. DIY website hosting makes your information more vulnerable than local hosting. It’s also common for commercial hosts to keep all of their client data on a single server—if something happens to that server, then all of your website data could be wiped out with no way to recover. 

Read more about the cons of commercial website hosting here.

Reliable Website Hosting in Ann Arbor

Ready to build your website with local professionals?

Network Services Group has been helping business build and maintain their websites since 2001 and has twenty years of happy clients to show for it. If you are looking for website hosting in the Ann Arbor area, NSG has you covered. Call (877) 815-6974 or submit a contact form here to get started.