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WatchGuard 2016 Security Predictions: #1 Ransomware

by Corey Nachreiner

At the end of each year, WatchGuard's security team and I like to spend some time imagining what the threat landscape might look like the upcoming year. This not only gives us the opportunity to analyze the security trends we've followed over the past year, but also allows us to creatively extrapolate what might happen next. Though our prediction don't always hit dead on, they're based on very real security trends, which means they could can help you prepare your defenses for 2016's upcoming threats.

This year, I've come up with ten predictions covering a wide variety of security threats and trends that will impact many organizations. As 2015 comes to a close, let’s explore some of the new security threats we may see in the coming year. I'll release one prediction a day for the next ten business days. Here's the first of WatchGuard’s top ten new security predictions for 2016.

WatchGuard Security Prediction #1 - Ransomware Comes Looking for Your Droids

The first prediction focuses on ransomware, which has really taken off over the past three years. Ransomware has evolved from relatively feeble policeware variants like Reveton to extremely effective cryptoware samples like Cryptolocker and Cryptowall.

Unfortunately, these new strains of file encrypting malware are so good at their evil jobs that many victims have paid the ransoms. FBI agents have even gone on recordrecommending victims pay up.  Our acquiescence to this cyber ransom will only ensurethat victims continue paying up in 2016. Proving to cyber criminals that this practice works, so expect them to up the stakes and continue refining their cryptoware techniques next year.

We expect the evolution in two main categories:

• Targeting of wider platforms – Right now, ransomware primarily targets Windows victims. We’ve seen Mac, Linux, and Android samples, but those haven’t had much success yet. Next year, we expect this will change, and that cyber criminals will make very effective ransomware for alternate platforms; especially for Android mobile devices and Mac laptops.

• Refinement of the extortion techniques – Now that cybercriminals have figured out victims are willing to pay for lost files, we suspect they’ll start to develop nasty new methods to tighten the screws on victims. Next year, expect them to target specific business files or other critical information. For instance, in the past they’ve encrypted web server files to temporarily take down a web server. Yet, imagine if they targeted password managers, thus preventing you from logging on to anything, or worse yet, if they targeted the SCADA systems used to run critical infrastructure. We also think they’ll up their psychological pressure by threatening to release your embarrassing files to the public or by harming your reputation in some other way.

In short, Cryto ransomware will get even worse in 2016, and will become more effective at stealing millions from Android and Mac users as well.  Visit our WatchGuard security predictions site to see a new daily security prediction over the next ten days.

— Corey Nachreiner, CISSP (@SecAdept)

Infrastructure: Why the new IT is a lot like the (very) old IT

July 1, 2015

By: Ben Lovejoy

If someone had asked you 20 years ago to define IT infrastructure, chances are your definition would've been a simple one. Even 10 years ago, we generally defined IT infrastructure as hardware and software: data centers, network of PCs, software developed in-house, licensed software installed on our own systems, etc.

Today's world is different. It's likely that at least some of the software used in businesses today is purchased not with perpetual licenses with ongoing support fees but with annual subscriptions that provide immediate access to the latest versions as they are released. Some businesses take things a step further by purchasing software as a service (SaaS), a simple web browser sitting somewhere else, on someone else's server.

In the past, businesses could set up all their own data centers. Today, there are few large organizations that don't make use of cloud computing capacity in one form or other—be it as basic as using corporate Dropbox accounts or as advanced as buying both computing and storage capacity on an on-demand basis.

Everett Rogers's diffusion of innovations model says that new ideas and products pass through five phases:

1. Innovators
2. Early adopters
3. Early majority
4. Late majority
5. Laggards

Late majority is when more than 50 percent of potential users have adopted the technology, the position we're at today with cloud computing, yet perceptions in a number of organizations lag a bit behind the reality. To a certain extent, this is understandable: There's a comfort and familiarity in old models, and many still recall high-profile examples of organizations getting things wrong during the middle phase.

Indeed, the new IT model might look oddly familiar to an IT director from the 1950s, when computing power was on a mainframe, accessed on a time-share basis by what were then called terminals and would today be called thin clients. We've almost come full circle.

Cloud computing and outsourced infrastructure are mature technologies, so the risk today is to not invest in an untested technology. The real risk today is in hanging onto outdated models while competitors take advantage of the flexibility and scalability of the new world of on-demand IT.

Introduction Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3325i/C3330i

May 1, 2015

Introduction of the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3330i/C3325i Models

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to introduce the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3330i/C3325i models. The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3300 Series is based on a clean-sheet design, and will realize a new level of reliability, easy maintenance, and high quality color within a small footprint. In designing these products, a strong emphasis was placed on maintaining low initial and running costs to achieve a favorable total cost of ownership and help contribute toward dealer competitiveness and profitability.

The series consists of the following models:

Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3330i: Up to 30/30 ppm (Letter, BW/Color)

Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3325i: Up to 25/25 ppm (Letter, BW/Color)

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3300 Series models are on the imageRUNNER ADVANCE platform, designed to be the core of digital business communications where imaging technology, cloud connectivity, and mobile solutions seamlessly converge. The imageRUNNER ADVANCE system has proven itself with award-winning models that provide quality output, ease-of-use, customization, reliable performance, and support for solutions that help streamline business workflows and optimize business processes.

Overview and Key Features

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3330i/C3325i models will replace the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C2230/C2225 models and become the most compact color ledger-size models in the imageRUNNER ADVANCE line-up. They are designed for small businesses or departments within larger organizations that have relatively low print volumes with color and finishing requirements, but may be faced with space constraints. The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3300 Series is well suited for environments primarily printing black-and-white, but who want to introduce color printing. They are MDS and solutions-ready to address the customers’  document process challenges.

Designed for Profitable Productivity

Several feature and design improvements have been made to help meet competitive needs and contribute toward profitability. The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3300 Series now includes standard support for PCL, PS, OOXML (.docx), and Remote Operator’s Software.  These additions help sales representatives to more easily configure a system and respond competitively to price-sensitive proposals. A number of improvements have been made to the product design, parts and consumables that help contribute to low costs and overall profitability. Some examples include a lighter weight product design for low shipping costs, a faster installation contributing to less labor time during setup, high yield parts and consumables, and the implementation of Canon’s  Less Maintenance design that can contribute to lower labor costs.

Outstanding Usability

The 7”  tilt able user interface provides intuitive operation that is consistent across the imageRUNNER ADVANCE product line. It has been improved to offer a full range of tilt positions (predecessor model offered two positions) and on-screen device management videos that provide step-by-step instructions to guide users through consumables replacement.

Innovative Finishing

A new internal finishing option offers stapling of up to 50 sheets and a tray capacity of up to 600 sheets through two standard trays. The Staple-Free Staple feature of the inner finisher binds up to 4 sheets of paper together without the use of metal staples. This allows for easy shredding, more efficient paper stacking and is ecoconscious, using fewer staples and less waste. The finisher also incorporates a Staple On Demand feature to re-staple originals after copying/scanning, or to staple documents that were printed without the appropriate staple settings initially selected.

Reliability and Serviceability

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3300 Series models incorporate Canon’s  Less Maintenance design, allowing for efficient installation and servicing. The installation process has been streamlined including the preconfiguration of the main unit with the ADF and print languages (UFR II, PCL, and PS), design improvements that result in a shorter main unit installation time, and an easy on-screen setup wizard that guides the initial set up. These features may result in less set-up time, and installation could potentially be done by a lower level service technician or a trained delivery person. High parts and consumable yields and easy-to-replace parts help maximize uptime, reduce service visits, and minimize costs associated with parts replacement and labor.

High Quality Color

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3330i/C3325i models support V2  Color (Vivid and Vibrant) - a color profile that enhances visual impact. This recently developed color composition creates printed documents that appear more vivid and vibrant than previous imageRUNNER ADVANCE color profiles.

Fleet Integration

Fleet environments can benefit from the consistency in operation and management for both walk-up and network use. The addition of features like Scan to Microsoft Word and Mail Box Simple further enhance the consistency across the imageRUNNER ADVANCE product line. The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3300 Series integrates with Canon’s complete solutions portfolio as well as Managed Document Services and other professional services, allowing each customer to build an environment of products, solutions, and services that addresses their specific business needs.

Three Reasons You Should Buy Multifunctional Printers

If your business is like most companies, it has several different printing needs. Generally, businesses strive to meet their different needs by purchasing multiple devices. However, this is costly and wasteful. Instead, you should consider buying multifunctional printers.

Save Energy

Powering one device is typically cheaper than powering three or four. Your ability to curb your power usage will translate into greater savings for your company and a reduced carbon footprint. If your business aims to become a greener company, using a multifunctional printer is a great way to start.

Better Upgradeability

Instead of having to buy newer devices when you're ready to upgrade, you can simply upgrade your existing printers. Many multipurpose printers have optional RAM upgrades available, so they can grow with your company.

Use Remote Management

The majority of multipurpose printers can be remotely managed, so if there's a problem with your machines, you'll know about it sooner and can have it fixed more quickly. You will no longer have to worry about discovering printer issues right when you need to use it.

Beat the Competition

Using Multifunctional printers can help your company leave the competition behind, especially considering the amount of savings you'll be able to put towards marketing or research and development. Furthermore, enabling your devices to grow with your business means you get more out of them and won't need to replace them as frequently.

Check out our multifunction

Beware of Toner Scam Targeting NYC

It has been brought to our attention that two companies in California, Supply Distribution Systems and National Distribution Systems, have been targeting companies in the NYC area, asking them to buy toner at a “discount”. Those who have been contacted and agreed to the “discount” found a hefty invoice that did not save them any money. Unfortunately, a couple of our clients have fallen victim to this scam so we wanted to warn others in hopes to put an end to it.

GREENAN recommends employee education to avoid scams like this. New employees should understand who is authorized to make purchase decisions and know to avoid revealing any information about your company’s information technology (always a wise practice), even if the caller seems to be familiar with your company or other employees.

Rest assured that GREENAN will never call to force toner purchases, ask for serial numbers, or questions regarding your equipment. We have that information on file and would not disrupt your day to request that information over the phone.

To make things easy on you, GREENAN is in the process of implementing an autotoner fulfillment process.  In short, we will install a DCA (device collection agent) that monitor toners levels.  Once you copier/printer gets below a set threshold, a newt oner is automatically shipped out to you.  Thus, you never run out of toner and never have to worry about ordering it again. We will be in touch with more details on this process.

Feel free to reach out to us about any of the information outlined in this note. We value our customers and appreciate your business.

3 Must Have Qualities of an MPS - GREENAN

3 Must Have Qualities of an MPS

When choosing an MPS, look for a provider that includes a comprehensive set of tools, support, and services that meets the goals and needs of your business. A highly trained managed print services (MPS) partner will maximize your cost savings and continually fine-tune your output fleet for optimal productivity. Listed below are qualities of a world-class provider.

Support. It’s critical for a successful MPS provider to be able to provide dependable, proactive support. Your provider should ensure devices stay up-to-date through remote maintenance and life cycle management.

Proactive. When it comes to remote monitoring for your entire fleet of print devices, proactive management and the delivery of consumable supplies and service, industry experts suggests a strong MPS with a track record of doing so. Equipment fleets should be monitored 24/7, meter usage should be regularly collected, and supplies and toner should be distributed as needed. Utilizing an MPS frees employees to focus on the core challenges needed to grow a business, while leaving the printing up to the professionals.

Secure. A reputable MPS demonstrates a commitment to keeping digital information safe and secure by identifying potential vulnerabilities and proactively addressing them to limit risk. Your partner should be viewed as a trusted provider and offer many standard and optional product security features.

GREENAN offers high-quality products and services through our Xerox Certified Managed Print Program–the recognized industry leader in MPS. Our expert consultants will help you understand your printing needs and create a service that is just right for your business. Contact us for more information!