Are you looking for IT services in the metro Atlanta area or ongoing Managed Services for your business?
Checkout how we can help!
24/7/365 Coverage & Support of your IT infrastructure with help desk technicians that know your systems
IT managed services that are designed to lower your IT costs, increase productivity and reduce downtime to your Metro Atlanta and Marietta businesses
Have a problem with your workstations, servers or network equipment such as a firewall, WiFi Access Points or switches?
We will have an engineer on-site same day to resolve any technology problems your business is experiencing
Need help understanding cloud services?
We will show you how they can seamlessly integrate with your current business infrastructure to decrease cost and increase efficiency and security
Protect your business from cyber attacks and ensure you meet your industry's level of compliance
Work from anywhere on any device. Securely connect to the applications, people and your work desktop with our centralized on-premise and cloud solutions
Schedule a Quick Appointment! Or Call Us Yourself (678) 619-1218 And See How We Can Help Your Business!
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ON-SITE VISIT TO ASSES YOUR IT INFRASTRUCTURE
NO PUSHY SALES GUYS OR FOLLOW UP SPAM MAIL
Let Us Answer Some Of Your Questions!
How Can We Save You Money?
Utilizing our reseller channels we are able to pass on the discounts to our clients for things such as Office 365, telecom VOIP and Internet Service Providers (ISP) to lower your overall overhead. With these savings our services will practically pay for themselves
Need Help Moving to Office 365?
We make your move to the cloud easy and paint free. Start with email and add additional services as needed such as Azure AD
What's included in Managed IT?
Outside of monitoring of all business crucial systems, you get phone and email tech support, ongoing IT consultation and a technology partner you can rely on for years to come. Not just some "IT guy"
Need On-Site Support ASAP?
No problem! We can normally get one of our engineers to your location on the same day. We service Atlanta, Alpharetta, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Woodstock, Dunwoody, Cumming and all the surrounding areas
Need Help Moving Into Your New Office?
We can assist from the start by setting up ISP at the new office, configuring VOIP phones, ensuring the proper handling of office equipment and setup along with low voltage wiring and data closet cleanup
We got hacked! Can ACIS help?
Recovering from a natural disaster is similar to recovering from a cyberattack. We can to restore data, systems functionality and patch any vulnerabilities in your network and on your systems
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Latest News
Industry news, threats and highlights in the tech world.
How to quickly setup your office network the correct way
How to quickly setup your office network the correct way Your browser does not support the audio element. So, you are setting up your office network, where do you begin? Depending on the size of your office, you will need different hardware and software. But there are some basic things that all office networks need in order to function properly. In this article, I will break down the…
How to quickly secure your network from rogue IoT devices
The easy way to secure you IoT devices and systems Your browser does not support the audio element. Internet of Things (IoT) devices are constantly growing in popularity and use, from smart thermostats to connected security cameras. While these devices provide useful features and convenience for users, they also pose a significant risk to the security of your network if not properly…
Separate duties for employees or end up like this…
Separate duties for employees or end up like this... With war in Ukraine raging on, the cyber warfare between the Russians and the West continues to see an increase in Russian cybercrime. We deal with a lot of clients that employ external developers for specific projects. What we frequently discover is that these external developers and internal operations have little separations of responsibility. For example: Here is an illustration of something we just experienced with a customer. They are…
10 Ways you can fight against Russia’s cyberattacks
10 Ways you can fight against Russia's cyberattacks I had the pleasure of attending the Tech Execs Summit in Forsyth. They brought several speakers that had a lot of insight into how and why Russia's cyberwar is impacting local businesses. We are no longer threatened by the one man show that just got lucky and was able to hack into your system and get $500 in ransom out of you. These hacking organizations are ran as a business in Russia, as in they have office space, they have employees, they…
5 things: When selecting best IT Services Co. in Alpharetta
5 things: When selecting best IT Services Co. in Alpharetta This post will discuss the factors to consider while selecting an MSP for your business. Choosing an MSP is a big step in deciding to outsource or enhance your IT needs, and there are many things to think about when it comes to how it fits with your company's goals. Let's assume you're a firm of 20 employees in Alpharetta, Georgia. You previously utilized an "IT Person," to take care of day to day fixes here and there, but as your…
Data breach the new extortion method: backups are not enough
Data breach the new extortion method: backups are not enough You hear about data breaches all the time, however; what is it, and why does it keep happening? In this article, we will explain data breaches and why you should be concerned about them. When a data breach occurs, it means that someone has stolen or accessed information that they shouldn't have. This can include anything from credit card numbers to social security numbers, to files and data that is valuable to you and your business.…
What to do NOW as war in Ukraine increases cybercrime
What to do NOW as war in Ukraine increases cybercrime As the war in Ukraine keeps escalating, many more cyber-crime groups are starting to emerge as a result. Why do you think this is happening? In places around the world that don’t have many opportunities to make money legitimately turn to crime to provide for their families Now let's fast forward to what is happening in Russia. Crippling sanctions have devalued the Rubel, and many vendors, companies, and industries are turning their backs on…
Top 3 cybersecurity trends to prepare for in 2022
With the COVID pandemic mostly behind us, we are faced with the reality that the workplace has forever been changed. Security is on the top minds of most business owners and CIO’s out there. Here are the new trends that we will see more of in the coming year. Location Independent Security is no longer relying on a centralized firewall Let’s rewind back to 2019, every employee comes into the office, they login to their desktop computer that was assigned to them, they work until 5pm, then, they…
What makes a good network map, and why you should care
What makes a good network map, and why you should care Do you have a network map? Chances are that if you work in networking, you do. Or did you know what a network map was before reading this article? The term is used very often and hardly anyone knows what it means. This article is intended to give an explanation of what a network map is, and why you should have one. First of all, what is a network map? A network map is a visual representation of your current and planned topology – the layout…
What John did to lose his data storing it in the wrong place
What John did to lose his data storing it in the wrong place I’ve worked with many clients in different industries; however, what I noticed is always common in majority of the businesses that we take on as clients is the lack of uniformity and processes. This includes how data is stored, handled, and transmitted. The lack of standardization creates a huge problem when it comes to keeping up with backups, ensuring there is even a backup, and also causes problems when training new employees on…
Before & after the cybersecurity training
Before & after the cybersecurity training Let's pose a scenario: Your top client receives an email from you that sounds awfully suspicious, it may go like, "Hey, I sent you the document you requested. Click this link to download the PDF." If your clients are smart, they would quickly reply to you if they think something is strange about the email. They would want to confirm if you actually sent the email. Imagine what would happen if your mailbox was either spoofed or compromised. Attackers…
3 steps to safeguard your Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices can be great resources on your network when it comes to centralized storage accessible to all devices on the network. The issue is that this centralized entity may be accessed from outside the network. This past week, QNAP NAS devices have been targeted by a .deadbolt ransomware. Owners will wake up to find their data has been locked with a .deadbolt extension and ransom demands of $1,100 in bitcoin are being made so that they may unlock their data. Most…
Security settings to change right away on your Macs
Security settings to change right away on your Macs Apple users are still just at risk of phishing attacks as any other user on any device. Although Macs come with XProtest and Gatekeeper designed to keep users safe, socially engineered attacks still don't prevent end users from handing over their credentials. If you are using your Mac for work, here are some of the things I recommend users to do on their Mac computers right away. Best practice Mac security settings to implement right away…
Quick Disaster Recovery plan to implement now for 2022
Quick Disaster Recovery plan to implement now for 2022 You have heard the words Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery being thrown around; however, I know a fiery earthquake or the great flood might not be the top of your concern. Sadly, a disaster in today's world comes in the form of cybercrime. According to TMC.net, 50% of companies that experience a cyber attack go out of business within 6 months of the attack. This is not surprising when you consider the number of preventable data…
How hackers are getting around Microsoft Defender
How hackers are getting around Microsoft Defender Microsoft presents Windows Defender as a one-solution fits all, however as we learned that is certainly not the case in the cybersecurity world. Cybersecurity should be tailored towards a particular business, there is rarely one size fits all approach here. Microsoft Defender lets users add locations or network locations to the list of excluded areas to be scanned for malware/viruses. Users commonly add folders and paths to Microsoft Defender in…
How to sell Cybersecurity by partnering instead of selling
How to sell Cybersecurity by partnering instead of selling Here is the deal, the threat actors don't care for the size of the business you have. An example can be, a small software development company that does work for larger firms. Having their clients’ data leaked can be detrimental to them. They might not have millions to pay in ransom, but the threat actors don't really care. They are perfectly fine collecting $5,000 from you and 1000’s of others. So, when I speak with a client about their…
Are you sending your credentials to a MitM without knowing it?
Are you sending your credentials to MitM without knowing it? About a month ago, we reported that some phishing kits had added the capability of intercepting SMS-based 2FA tokens. Since then, we decided to look for more such tools and found a whopping 1200+ web-based phishing kits in our research, which are capable of intercepting 2FA when it is used by unsuspecting users. These toolkits enable any wimpy "hacker" to utilize the MitM (Man-in-the-Middle) attacks. After many major tech companies…
Security settings you need to change right away for 2022
Security settings you need to change right away for 2022 Often times we think of security solutions as just an antivirus and you are done. At least that's what most business owners assume it takes to secure their systems. But outside of only installing and running an antivirus solution there are policy that windows by default allows. Depending on the environment, I like to make sure that our client's systems are as secure as they can be without breaking their software and work flow. Sometimes…
Why you should care about the Log4J vulnerability
Why you should care about the Log4J vulnerability Apache is an HTTP server that is open-source, cross platform and represents about 33% of all websites on the internet and countless applications that utilize parts of it. Log4J is a Java logging library used by the Apache server and many of those applications. A vulnerability was recently discovered in Log4J that could allow an attacker to execute malicious code on the target system. The vulnerability specifically affects versions 2.x and 3.x of…
How to quickly pass a PCI compliance scan
How to quickly pass a PCI compliance scan The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of regulations that businesses need to follow in order to protect sensitive credit card and personal information. It can be hard for small business owners who don't know how the PCI DSS works, but there are some steps you can take to get compliant quickly and easily. In this blog post, we will discuss what it takes to become compliant with the standards and why you should care about…
Tricks to diagnose and restore your internet connection
Tricks to diagnose internet connection from your seat I ask this question on interviews when checking to see if a technician knows basic networking, and you would be surprised how many do not! I will help you out without getting technical, explaining how packets are sent, and how IP addresses work. This is a tutorial with real life situations and a step by step process you can take to solve it. So, you come into the office and you are greeted with the following error stating there is no…
James received a message, “what’s this link you sent me??”
James received a message, "What's this link you sent me??" James received a reply back from his co-worker telling him that he sent them a drobox link that looked suspicious. The next day another person complained to James telling him he sent them a google doc that is asking to login and they just wanted to clarify what it was. James quickly realized someone got a hold of his company email password and has been sending spam out of his mailbox. He quickly did what he thought was the most…
These 2 simple things could save your business from a cyberattack
These 2 simple things could save your business from a cyberattack It's interesting when I hear from CEO's and business owners the usual "We are not big enough to get hacked," or "Why would anyone want to target us?" What I always tell our clients is that the threat actors don't care what you do, they don't care how much money you make, all they care about is that you make it, all they care about is that you have an open system, or you fell prey to a phishing, or spear phishing attack, and they…
MSP tips for SMB – Enterprise backup on budget for your organization
MSP tips for SMB - Enterprise backup on budget for your organization Some may think when selecting a Managed Services Provider MSP, that we have access to some magic secrete sauce programs, or develop things in house to help secure or backup or manage your systems. We use the same software available to most business owners! Keep in mind I am in no way shape or form getting paid by any of these companies or services that I talk about below, so I just want to make it clear that this is strictly…
How do you migrate to Office 365? Smoothly…
How do you migrate to Office 365? Smoothly... If you are on a different hosted platform of exchange, it takes careful planning, staging, and execution and communication with end users. Understanding the environment and gathering as much information as possible is the first critical step. This ensures no surprises happen later or you come to a step where you aren't sure how to proceed. We must first answer some questions prior to migration Are we only moving email boxes or other office…
Still not on Office 365? Here is a good reason to switch…
Still not on Office 365? Here is a good reason to switch... Reasons why you should migrate to Office 365 if you are still on another platform. By now I don’t have to explain the benefits of exchange email and why its much better than SMTP and POP3. What is Exchange or Office 365 email? Let's just put it this way, if you want a centralized location for your emails that you are accessing with multiple devices, your cell phone, computer, tablet etc. All emails read on any device will be kept and…
8 things to do in case your systems have been breached
8 things to do in case your systems have been breached Finding out that your company has been the latest unwitting victim of a ransomware attack capable of restricting computer systems and encrypting data if a ransom is not paid to cybercriminals would be a nightmare for many corporations. There is no such thing as a magic wand that can make a ransomware assault disappear without some down time, sweating, and getting your IT team involved in restoring systems. 1. Do Not open the ransom…
Quickly check the Dark Web for your leaked credentials… without checking the Dark Web
Quickly check the Dark Web for your leaked credentials… without checking the Dark Web Ever wonder if your most used username and password is floating out there in the dark web, but don't want to install a Tor browser, start visiting questionable underground websites, downloading data dumps by hacking groups and spending hours running queries to find your username and password present in these databases? You are in luck because Google did all the hard legwork for you. Chrome is a…
So you think 2FA is protecting you… That’s cute
So you think 2FA is protecting you... That's cute The phone rings, a voice on the other end states, "Welcome to Chase Fraud protection department, we have recently receive a charge from E Constants online retailer for $74.32. If this was not you, please press 1." A few seconds later the phone buzzes and it's a text message from 227895 number which is the same number you always receive the verification code from. You quickly type it in to confirm that it is in fact you. The voice continues:…
What your “IT Guy” won’t tell you. MIGHT hurt you…
What your “IT Guy” won’t tell you. MIGHT hurt you… I'm sure there's more than one IT person who's reading this wondering what they've done to be scrutinized. But here it goes.... Things that are common with "IT Guys" I will first list out some of the concerns that you should think about, and then we can dive deeper into them… Single Point of Failure Poor Documentation Security Risk Can't be the” Jack of all Trades” Single Point of Failure I can't stress enough how important this point…
If you have Office 365, you should utilize Azure AD to protect your firm for free!
If you have Office 365, you should utilize Azure AD to protect your firm Office 365 is Microsoft's cloud productivity suite, with comparable features to Google's G Suite. It includes online versions from many of the most-used Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. A basic version of Azure AD is included FREE of charge with your Office 365 subscription! One compelling feature of Office 365, that your firm may not know about, is Azure Active Directory (Azure AD),…
The biggest cybersecurity threat in 2021 and 2022 affecting all businesses
What is the biggest cybersecurity threat to businesses in 2021 and 2022 that affects all businesses The types of cyber attacks that pose the most serious threat vary depending on the business. There are many different kinds of attacks that hackers might launch, including phishing attempts, ransomware, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), and more. However, not all threats are created equal. For example, a ransomware attack is usually much more harmful than a DDoS attack because ransomware…
What is the cost for managed IT services in Atlanta?
What is the cost for managed IT services in Atlanta? The answer to this question varies depending on the companies and services they offer. Most MSPs will sound the same when it comes to the service and their promises however; every market is different, that is to say that the MSP cost in NewYork city is different than it is in Atlanta. MSP to MSP also charge based on the software they use and the licenses they are paying for. Generally most MSPs charge by device, this is normally due to them…
What 5 minutes of interruption can do to your workflow
What 5 Minutes of Interruption Can Do To Your Workflow I think it’s safe to say that everyone agrees, time is money. Interruption in our tasks can add up very quickly. For example, a study done at The University of California by Gloria Mark, says that it takes about 25 minutes to return to the original task after an interruption. There are multiple studies that also confirm, distractions don't just eat up time during the distraction, they completely derail any sort of productivity for almost 30…
How Invisible IT Costs Add up fast & How to Calculate Them
How invisible IT costs add up quickly and how to calculate them When you hear Managed Service Providers (MSP) companies talk about saving you money, making things more efficient etc., etc., (insert more IT jargon here). What does this all mean? Hiring an IT support provider costs companies money right? So how do they claim to solve world problems and save your business money? Let's start by defining what an MSP is, the promises that MSPs make, how they plan to save you money, and how to tell…
How Lisa had her paycheck stolen – Phishing Attack
How Lisa had her paycheck stolen - Phishing Attack Here is how Lisa had her paycheck stolen. Lets walk through the events leading up to it and how it actually happened! BECKY FROM HR Received an email from an employee named Lisa requesting to change her paycheck to be deposited into a different bank account. Becky sent a reply with an attached document labeled “ACH Bank Change Form” to change the bank where the money is going to be transferred into this Friday for payroll. She received an email…
Retrofit your computer with biometric for $80
In the spirit of October Security month. We have used biometrics to unlock our phones, pay at the grocery stores, log in to our bank accounts for many years now. It only makes sense that this level of security makes it into mainstream day-to-day use on our desktops and laptops. Although many devices already include this feature such as a fingerprint reader, Yubicon now offers a retrofit for older devices to utilize biometrics instead of passwords. Check out this $80 USB key that doubles as a…
What it was like for a CPA firm to survive a cyberattack
What it was like for a CPA firm to survive a cyberattack I met Joe at a networking event, he is a CPA and owns his own Public Accounting Firm. Over time we became friends and I assisted his MSP (Managed Services Provider) on several IT projects. He employs 12-15 accountants depending on the time of the year. One Friday, Joe noticed that his systems were running a little slow. Being that it was a Friday afternoon, and having had dinner plans in a few hours with his family and a few friends, he…
Skip the line! Install Windows 11 and don’t wait for automatic update!
Outside of a controversial Start Menu, windows 11 appears to be mostly familiar to everyone. You can checkout the new features from Microsoft. However if you don't want to wait until the new update arrives to your computer as an automatic update. Don't worry, just head over to Microsoft and download the new update. This link will take you straight to MS page where you can download the update for FREE! You can create installation media like a USB drive or create an ISO. Really easy. If you are…
Network closet cleanup. How to save money & organize data closet
Network closet cleanup. How to save money & organize data closet If your data closets look like a rats nest with unorganized unlabeled wires everywhere, congrats, you are in with the majority! Most of our clients that we come across have a similar issue. Its easy for multiple vendors, your staff and everyone else having their hand in the network closet. No one really wants to fix it since its viewed as an unnecessary and expensive endeavor to…
Microsoft Explains why Windows 11 will be soo much faster!
This 12 min video explains all the features of upcoming Windows 11 and what will make it soo much faster than windows 10. Its pretty impressive that microsoft listened to the feedback of the beta tester program and made the suggested improvements. The real interesting feature is how you will no longer put your computer to sleep / power it down. It will work similar to what your phone does when it is not touched for a few min. The screen will turn off and the only thing that will remain powered…
Stop ransomware with these TWO steps
Stop ransomware with these TWO steps In a world where you can sign up as Ransomware As A Service its no surprise that its soo profitable and soo lucrative that everyone must take the steps to ensure they are protected, because everyone is a target. Windows 10 and 11 comes with many security features that you might not know about that can help in protecting your systems. Although 3rd party AntiVirus solution is advisable, taking these simple TWO steps can further increase the security of your…
500,000 Fortinet VPN Credentials Just Got Leaked
500,000 Fortinet VPN Credentials Got Leaked on Hackers Forum The list of Fortinet VPN credentials was released by a malicious actor known as "Orange," who is the administrator of the recently launched RAMP hacking forum and a past leader of the Babuk Ransomware initiative. Almost 500,000 Fortinet VPN login names and passwords that were scraped in an exploit on multiple devices a year ago. Orange split off to form RAMP and is now thought to be a representative of the new Groove ransomware…
Read this before you hire an IT support company…
CLICK PLAY TO LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE [audio src="https://www.alphacis.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Murf-7.mp3" /] When your business needs to move beyond what you can DIY on your own, it might be time to start thinking about outsourcing your IT. Every company has a different set of needs and various levels of expertise that is needed. You should evaluate which outsourcing service is best for your organization to minimize risk and overhead. This article will talk about the things to consider when evaluating…
Remove NAS from Active Directory (AD) Right Away!
If you are able to connect to your Network Attached Storage Device with your Active Directory credentials it might be a good idea to change the way your NAS authenticates. Ransomware attacks on the rise its hard to think of a work environment where inside the network should be thought of as unsecure space. Unfortunately with social engineered attacks, such as phishing and new exploits being found daily it’s the reality in 2021. Once the hackers gain access to the network, they can encrypt local…
Do This Now to Reduce Cyber Insurance Policy Costs
When it comes to insurance reducing exposures is what underwriters generally focus on to determine the premium costs: Are you storing sensitive data? Are you running credit cards through your terminals? Is your staff trained in security? Do you run backup software and do you test these backups periodically? Are you using firewalls and AV software and is it up to date and managed? Do you have a 3rd party company or internal employees that specialize in managed your network and security?……
Why Your Business Will Need Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
What is a next-generation firewall (NGFW)? A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is a network security appliance capable of inspecting traffic at the protocol level. An NGFW can enable companies to block unauthorized access, prevent malware from entering the network and securely accelerate business applications. This takes things one step further with not just inspecting packets going in and out of the network, but breaks things down further depending on the applications. What is the difference…
ALL CPA firms should register .CPA Domain while it’s still available!
AICPA launched a new CPA-specific top level domain (TLD) that will help you build trust and reach your clients in a more secure way. This verification process ensures that only those who meet certain requirements can register for this TLD, which adds another safeguard and level of trust for potential clients. If your practice hasn't jumped on getting their .CPA domain yet I suggest you do this right away. Unlike .com .net .org or many others that anyone can register for, .CPA MUST in fact be a…
Cybercriminals Are Now Targeting CPA and Accounting Firms 🔐
Cybercriminals Are Now Targeting CPA and Accounting Firms Reasons for targeting accounting firms is almost obvious. Consider if you are trying to get sensitive information such as bank accounts, access to retirement and investment accounts, social security and EIN numbers. What industry would you turn to as a hacker ? The answer is clear, ✅ CPA and accounting firms. Unfortunately, too many of these firms have much of this sensitive client information sitting on a network drive or local…
5 Ways Dealerships Can Save Money On I.T. Costs
1. Stick with one vendor for managing I.T. Think of services with a major cable company or Internet provider. It’s always cheaper when you bundle multiple services, like internet and T.V., and/or phone. This concept is also true when it comes to selecting an I.T. services vendor. Much like a Dr., you would not want a brain surgeon operating on your heart. This is also true when it comes to IT providers as well. An I.T. company that dabbles in 20 different industries more than likely…
Do these 3 things right now to prevent ransomware on your systems!
Do these 3 things right now to prevent ransomware on your systems! Quick and simple, ransomware works by encrypting your hard drive and any device connected to your computers. This makes all of your files inaccessible and you will see text documents in every folder with instructions on how to pay the ransom to get your files decrypted. A fun fact about ransomware is that in 2020 the attacks increased by 130%. If you break down that number, 81% of the total infected are enterprises, and 62% of…
Fire your IT guy if they do any of these things…
Why you should fire your IT guy Over time things change, people change, and your organization's needs change as well. Here are some of the things to look out for with your current IT guy. Complacency Number one reason to fire your IT guy is complacency. Just like politicians holding the same public office position for 20+ years, they get use to the easy life! Doing things “the way they have always been done” is one of the easiest ways to spot complacency! “The way things have been…